114 FIRST LESSONS WITH PLANTS 



150. It is important to remember that common 

 plants are most useful for study, and several speci- 

 mens should be taken, representing different soils 

 and conditions. If one begins with the thought 

 of securing only the rare, curious or beautiful 

 things, he will probably have an herbarium which is 

 of no particular value. He will have only a col- 

 lection of detached plants. Some theme or mo- 

 tive should run through a collection, to exhibit 

 the flora of a neighborhood or a roadside, to 

 illustrate the plants of a forest or a garden, to 

 show the effects of different environments, and 

 the like. 



150a. In collecting plants, always set out with the ambition to 

 make good specimens. Collect samples of all parts of the plant, 

 lower and upper leaves, stem, flowers, fruit, and, wherever practi- 

 cable, roots. In small species, those two feet high or less, the 

 whole plant should be taken. Of larger plants, take portions about 

 a foot long. Press the plants between papers or "driers." These 

 driers may be any thick porous paper, as blotting-paper or carpet- 

 paper, or, for plants that are not succulent or very juicy, news- 

 papers in several thicknesses may be used. It is best to place 

 the specimens in sheets of thin paper grocer's tea-paper is good 

 and place these sheets between the driers. Many specimens can 

 be placed in a pile. On top of the pile place a short board and 

 a weight of thirty or forty pounds, or a lighter weight if the pile 

 is small and the plants are soft. Change the driers every day. 

 The plants are dry when they become brittle, and when no mois- 

 ture can be felt by the fingers. Some plants will dry in two or 

 three days, while others require as many weeks. If the pressing 

 is properly done, the specimens will come out smooth and flat, 

 and the leaves will usually be green, although some ' plants always 

 turn black in drying, 



