ON DRYING AND PREPARING SPECIMENS OF FLOWERS. 129 
seasons an earlier beginning may be made than others; some kinds of 
plants also ripen their wood much earlier than others. In hot and dry 
autumns some of the larger specimens will flag and droop. To guard 
against injury from this, water the roots well at planting with pond 
water; and plants of rarity may be occasionally syringed in the even- 
ing for a time after being planted. This, however, will not be required 
if the weather be moist or cloudy. The plants must then be securely 
staked, and ultimate success is certain—Jour. Hort. Soc., iv. 41. 
ON DRYING AND PREPARING SPECIMENS OF 
FLOWERS, &c. 
Ar this delightful season of the year, when all vegetation appears to 
teem in profusion with beauty and loveliness, no pursuit appears to me 
more interesting and pleasing than the study, culture, and preservation 
of flowers. My mind has been quickened in such pursuits again and 
again as the revolving seasons arrived. I have lately obtained a neat 
volume on Field Botany, by Agnes Catlow, and published by Reeve 
and Co., London, which has much pleased me, and in my way-side field 
and wood perambulations I have found very useful. The introductory 
remarks are so interesting, and I think will be useful to the youthful 
readers of the Castner, that I forward them for insertion in the next 
Number :— 
* If a science is worth learning, it is wise to begin properly, and 
study the alphabet as it may be called; aud although I have said there 
is no ‘royal road’ to botany, I have endeavoured to render all as easy 
and simple as possible in this little treatise on the subject, by using 
English words instead of the technical terms wherever it is practicable. 
* No one must expect, if they pursue botany merely as a relaxation 
from more important studies, to be acquainted with it in a season. 
Botanists have been pursuing it for years, and, if asked, would say they 
knew but little compared to what they wished to know: it would, 
therefore, be presumptuous in the young to expect that, after a few 
trials only, they are to understand the subject thoroughly; for as it is 
impossible to arrive at a knowledge of any science or art without great 
pains and considerable industry (and botany is not an exception), the 
learner must be resolved to meet and overcome obstructions, which at 
the commencement appear rather alarming; but with a little attention 
the first difficulties will be found to vanish, for every step will smooth 
the way for another. When a little knowledge is obtained, the study 
becomes more and more interesting every day; each new plant is ex- 
amined with eagerness, and the investigation is no longer toil, but 
positive pleasure. 
‘If the possessor of this book will, therefore, at once follow the 
plan laid down, considerable improvement may be attained in a short 
time. Botany is easily pursued by those living in the country, and is 
not an expensive pleasure; whilst the thoughts connected with it are 
pure and refreshing, forming a delightful relaxation from more serious 
duties. It has the advantage of healthiness, for plants must be searched 
