134 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [ June, 
Plants which are at all succulent do not do well under such treatment, as they 
become brittle and consequently useless.—Cuas, F. JoHNson. 
The way which has given me the best resulis is to carry a portable press 
into the field. Press 10 by 17 inches, secured by straps; two exterior boards half 
an inch thick, to separate the dry papers not in use from the damp ones contain- 
ing plants. The middle board is only used on long trips, when it is necessary 
to dry the plants on the journey. At other times it is left athome. Felt gives 
uniformly better colors than paper. Its advantages are (1) uniformly better 
colors, (2) only one-quarter the time, (3) no work changing papers. The dis- 
advantages are that only one layer, 6 or 8 specimens, can be dried at once.— 
CHARLEs E. Smire. [Upon examining specimens sent by Mr. Smith we testify 
to the much superior quality of those dried in felt—Eps.] 
I prefer the old fashioned tin box except for ferns and certain plants, like 
Rhexia, whose petals are extremely fugacious. The box requires less time to 
open, is more manageable in windy weather, preserves the plants fresh for ex- 
- amination at home, and is especially serviceable when some time must elapse 
before the plants can be placed in the press. The straw paper which some au- 
ors recommend for drying is unsatisfactory. The best quality of regular dry- 
ing paper is the cheapest where good specimens count for anything and when 
time has any value. 
However it.may be with the portable wire presses sold by the dealers, a 
rude home-made affair has given me excellent results. With such a press [ 
have dried specimens in three days, being less than half the time required by 
the board press, and with only one change of driers. Of course to obtain such 
results the best quality of drying paper must be used, and the packages must 
not be very thick. 
I prefer to press pretty strongly and set the package on a roof having @ 
southern exposure.—GreraLp McCartary. 
It is probable that the collecting can and the portfolio will 
always have their respective advocates. Could a full and unbi- 
ased statement of their merits be made, it would likely be found 
that each has good cause for its continued existence. Our con- 
tributors have well brought out the value of the portfolio for col- 
lecting near home, when rambles do not exceed a few hours each, 
or preserving plants with delicate flowers or foliage, and of light- 
ening subsequent work of arranging for the press ; and the value 
of the collecting can for extended trips, for keeping plants fresh 
for further study before pressing, and for the opportunitytit gives 
to do the work of selecting and arranging the specimens in press 
in the shade and comfort of one’s home. The choice largely turns 
upon individual preferences, one prefers to do most of the work 
in the field, the other prefers to do it at home. But aside from 
personal tastes there are circumstances where now one and now 
the other method has decided advantages.— Eprrors. 
