9 



above and below. Many plants may be placed one above the other, 

 separated by drying paper, aad pressed at the same time by weights 

 on the upper board. When a plant is placed thus to be dried, a note 

 should be put with it, stating its name, the date of collection, the locality 

 where it was collected and the collector; for one must not trust too 

 much to memory in these matters. The collection will very likely grow 

 rapidly and experience will soon show the need for keeping not^s of 

 every plant collected. Carpet-felt makes excellent drying paper, and 

 can be obtained at most dry goods stores for about four cents a square 

 yard. Instead of tea-paper, ordinary newspaper, cut up into convenient 

 sizes, may be used. The secret of drying plants well is to change the 

 dryers frequently. The more water the plant contains the more fre- 

 quently should the dryers be changed, and in some cases this might be 

 done daily. 



When the specimen is thoroughly dried it should be mounted on a 

 sheet of stiff white paper or cardboard, about 11 inches x 16 inches. For 

 smaller plants,one half this size, 8 inches x 11 inches, will answer very well. 



Suitable mounting paper may be obtained from Mr. F. W. Hodson, 

 Dominion Live Stock Commissioner, Ottawa, at a rate oE 50 cents per 

 hundred sheets of the 

 larger size. Mr. Hodson 

 will also supply schools 

 with suitable printed 

 labels free of charge. 

 The latter must be care- 

 fully filled out and gum- 

 med to one corner of the 

 card, while the plant is 

 securely fastened in posi- 

 tion by glue or strips of 

 thin gummed paper. 



A close tin box or vasculum about 18 inches long and of a shape 

 suitable for carrying by' a shoulder strap, is very useful for collecting 

 fresh plants, and may be easily made by any tinsmith. 



Collections of Grains and Grasses. 



Fig. 6. A Collecting Box. 



Specimens of mature grains, grasses or clovers may be easily pre- 

 pared and form an interesting exhibit. These should show the complete 

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