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HOME decokatio:n^. 



and in rocky nooks of shady mountains. Their growtli 

 varies in different localities, but ordinarily, they should 

 not be collected until July, and later. They are in 

 best condition for pressing, when nearly full grown ; 

 when very young, they are full of sap, and after thorough 





FERNS ON FUNGUS BRACKET, 



pressing and drying, are too fragile to handle. When col- 

 lecting ferns, a large book or file of papers should be car- 

 ried to the woods ; but if this should not be convenient, 

 they will keep in a basket if sprinkled and closely covered. 

 When first taken, they should be laid flat, and pressed as 

 soon as possible ; for very large specimens, sheets of blot- 



