ON THE CULTURE OP THE DAHLIA. 5 



and where the eyes are situated, from their chance of being nip- 

 ped by early frost in October and November ; to prevent this, 

 about the end of September or beginning of October, get some 

 dry straw, pease haulm, or dry stable litter (the earwigs being 

 nearly extirpated about this time) and place it around the lower 

 part of the stem. When taken up, they must be gradually dried 

 before they are permanently put away ; in doing this, take care 

 to turn them so as all parts shall receive a portion of air, you 

 may then place them in boxes, filled with sand or ashes, leaving 

 the crowns uncovered, as though they were planted. Before 

 putting them away, of course it will be requisite to label them, 

 to prevent confusion when planting them in the spring. 



I hope these preliminary remarks will be found to meet the 

 approbation of those who may scan them in your truly useful 

 Cabinet. 



Nov. 4th. A. B. 



ARTICLE II. 



DIRECTIONS FOR PRESERVING PLANTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES 



FOR A HERBARIUM. 



EY J. B. 



This is a much simpler process than is generally imagined by 



those unpractised in it, and travellers have been often deterred 



n rom collecting specimens by the time and trouble required for 



■reparing them in the way that has by many been recommended. 



The chief circumstances to be attended to are, to preserve 

 specimens of plants in such a manner that the moisture maybe 

 quickly absorbed, the colours as much as possible preserved, and 

 such a degree of pressure given to them, as that they may not 

 curl up in the time of drying. _ 



For this purpose let a quantity of separate sheets of paper be 

 obtained of a folio size. Common brown paper, upon the whole is 

 the best, except the very delicate kinds, which require paper of 

 a smoother and somewhat more absorbent texture. Blotting pa- 

 per, however, especially in warmer climates, woidd absorb the 

 moisture too rapidly, and by repeated damping and drying, would 

 soon be rendered useless. Two boards should be provided, 

 one for the top and the other for the bottom of the masses of pa- 

 pers. 



