m 



DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING PLANTS KNOWLTON. 



painted black and varnished, making it as nearly waterproof and as 

 durable as possible." (Bailey.) 



Still other forms of the portfolio have been recommended by botanical 

 collectors. The wire-press, or portfolio, is one of these. It consists of 

 two frames of wire fastened as in the others with straps or bands of 

 rubber. A lattice-work portfolio has also been suggested. But these 

 lancy styles are, on the whole, not to be recommended, as they fre- 

 quently defeat the object in view. They allow a rapid escape of mois- 

 ture, and the plants may become partially dried and brittle before the 

 end of the day's trip, and no appliance can possibly do away with the 

 necessity of i^roperly pressing the plants. 



Having decided upon the portfolio, it should be filled with four or 

 five quires of light but strong paper, which may be fastened into the 

 covers in a variety of ways, oj left loose. It is not desirable that this 

 paper be bibulous, for th6 object is to keep the plants as fresh as possible 

 until they can be arranged and put into the press, which may often be 

 several hours after they were collected, particularly when making long 

 marches. If the traveling is done on horseback it is best to have the 

 handles of the portfolio arranged so as to slii) readily over the horn of 

 the saddle, where it will be accessible at a moment's notice. 



"No attempt need be made to keep a portfolio genteel, especially 

 within. By the time it has been well filled out a few times with moist 

 plants and muddy roots, all the fancy paper that is put into it will 

 have lost its charm. * * * Any paper that is put into it is destined 

 to get wet and torn, and to require renewal several times a season, and 

 it should therefore be cheap. * * * Moderately thick and firm 

 manilla paper is upon the whole recommended." (Ward.) 



BOTANIZING CASE (VASCULUM). 



In place of the portfolio 

 some collectors prefer a me- 

 tallic case (tin or zinc) and 

 for certain kinds of collect" 

 ing it has decided advan 

 tages. It should be ellip. 

 tical in cross-section, about 

 20 inches long and 7^ inches 

 in greater and 4^ or 5 inches 

 in lesser diameter. A close- 

 ly fitting door or lid is 

 placed in one side, which should be C^ by 18J inches in size; it should 

 be hinged below and fastened by a simple clasp above. It is carried 

 over the shoulders by a broad strap. 



In some cases it may be desirable to make the box of larger size, and 

 to have one or more compartments partitioned off inside for small or 



Fig. 1— Botaiiizing case. 



