100 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



top and bottom. It may be made square 183^ by 18^ inches if 

 desired. The sides are made of one-inch boards, 10 inches wide and 

 fastened together with screws. A rack on which the press rests 

 (tigure 3) is provided, and placed 3 inches from the top of the box.* 

 This is made of material i inch square and is fastened all the way 

 around inside of the box with screws. One or two crosspieces are 

 added as illustrated, though they are perhaps unnecessary. Yellow 

 poplar lumber is found to be very satisfactory as it is not so liable 

 to warp as some other kinds. 



Heat may be conveniently supplied by two or three carbon fila- 

 ment electric light bulbs, the sockets for which are fastened about 

 3 inches from the bottom. Two i6-candle power lights are sufficient 

 for ordinary purposes, dependent somewhat upon the succulence of 

 the plants to be dried. It is well, however, to provide three sockets 

 placed in such a way as to give the most uniform distribution of 

 heat. The writer has also used with entire satisfaction special heat- 

 ing units of low resistance so constructed as to fit in any standard 

 electric light socket. Any convenient method of supplying heat by 

 electric current may be used. It is important, however, that only a 

 small amount of heat be supplied.^ It is only necessary that a 

 draft of warm air pass through the corrugated boards of the press. 

 Three one-inch auger holes 2 inches from the bottom are provided 

 on each side of the box to allow for intake of air. 



The sides of the press are made of one-inch boards 12^ by 18 

 inches. It is best to fasten a piece i^ inches wide crosswise at 

 either end to prevent warping. This should be tongued and grooved 

 and glued. Canvas straps with friction buckles are permanently 

 fastened to the boards at either end as shown in the illustration. 

 These should be of such length as to allow for the maximum expan- 

 sion which the width of the box permits with sufficient additional 

 length to conveniently allow for drawing the press tight. If desired, 

 ordinary woven fabric or leather trunk straps may be used, either 

 loose or nailed to one side of the press. It is important, however, 



* In the press used by the State Botanist's office this rack is placed only 2 

 inches from the top of the box which permits the straps on the plant press to 

 be placed correspondingly nearer the sides than is indicated in figure 2. Heat is 

 supplied by two 32-candle power carbon filament electric light bulbs, placed at 

 opposite ends of the box, one slightly to the right of the middle, the other 

 slightly to the left of the middle. 



° To learn what, if any, danger from fire existed in this press, the one at 

 Albany was tested. The use of three 32-candIe power lights caused the 

 liottom of the press to become scorched but it would not ignite. With only two 

 candles in operation both paper and cloth in direct contact with the bulbs 

 ignited within a few minutes, especially when the top of the box was closed 

 by the plant press. If resting upon asbestos board and if nothing comes 

 in contact with the bulbs, the press appears to possess no fire hazard. 



