COLLECTING GRASSES. 71 



the writer has found it best to separute kindred species by somo 

 otlicrs which are quite different. It is very natural and seems 

 qxiito desirable to the systematic worker to want his Poas all in 

 adjoining plats, and his Fescues in other adjoining plats, but if 

 he can succeed in keeping them separate when thus planted, he 

 will d(j l)etter than the writer has -ver been able to do with his 

 twenty or more years of experience. Another word of advice: 

 plant the seeds in rows, never broadcast, as this Avill much 

 facilitate weeding Avlien the plants are yet small. Xo agros- 

 tologist will be satistied to study mere dried specimens, as they 

 Avill not reveal many points to best advantage, but for permanent 

 use at all seasons of the year, the mode adopted in the herbarium 

 will be the best for preserving grasses. To save time in arrang- 

 ing thoughts for the following account in reference to i)reserving 

 grasses, the writer has taken hints from an article of ].. II. 

 Iloysradt in the bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club for 1878. 



Have a tin case made of oval cylindrical shape, 17 inches long, 

 four by six inches wide. It is provided with a light strap to 

 throw over the shoulder, and so attached to the box near the 

 front narrow side so as to have the lid open from the person when 

 hung on the shoulder. The lid opens nearly the whole length of 

 one of the flat fides, — 15 by 4^ inches, with ^ inch lap, — made 

 to fit as tight as possible, and fastens with a simple spring catch. 



Procure some thin, unsized paper, without printing on it, in 

 the form of folded sheets, about 11 by 17 inches. A poor quality 

 of printing paper is suitable. The drlf ^ are half sheets 12 by 

 18 inches and are thick and free ■ i sizing. The specimens 

 are left in the thin sheets througn all changes of driers, till 

 they are thoroughly dried. Change ti;e driers every 12 lunu-s 

 or oftener at first, and submit them to fij-o heat or direct sun- 

 light. Press the pile with a weight of fifty to seventy pounds. 

 Several pieces of thin board 12 by 18 inches will be neede<1. 



Always preserve some of the roots, lower leaves and rhizomas. 



