94 WILD FLOWER PRESERVATION 



better to have a small but complete specimen 

 than a large one cut down to the required size 

 and showing nothing but a huge cluster 'of 

 flowers or fruit, six inches of sturdy stalk, and 

 close to its cut end one or two little leaves, too 

 small and immature to show the characteristic 

 shape. (See Plates IV and V.) Great Wil- 

 low-herb is a good instance of a plant that may 

 be found quite small and low growing, al- 

 though its average height is 3 ft. to 4 ft. and 

 giants of over 5 ft. are occasionally seen. 



All plants, however, are not so accommoda- 

 ting, and in such cases a few inches must be 

 cut out from the stems a little beneath the 

 flower or upper leaves. This will show the 

 characteristic growth while adapting the plant 

 to the size of the mount. This method should 

 never be employed, however, when smaller 

 and complete specimens can be found, for it 

 takes away from the natural appearance of the 

 plants. 



A pair of scissors should be used for cutting 

 all thick and obstinate stems, for tearing at a 

 plant not only spoils the part that is picked 

 and chafes the hand, but it injures the sur- 



