[9J 



DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING PLANTS KNOWLTON. 



leaden disk, so that the end of the rod strikes the bottom lirst. The 

 lead should be heavier ou the side towards the hooks, so that the dredge 

 will fall with hooks downward. (T. P. Allen, in Botanical Gazette, xi, 

 p. 141.) 



GLOVES. 



The collector should also be provided with a pair of thick, heavy 

 gloves, which will be used when collecting thorny or spiny plants such 

 as Cactacese. 



PLANT PRESS. 



As in the case of the portfolio, many forms also of the plant press have 

 been devised and recommended. The best press for general use consists 

 of two pine boards 1 inch 

 thick, 12 inches wide, 

 and 18 inches long, hav- 

 ing eacli two cleats on 

 one side, one across near 

 each end. The pressure 

 is obtained by means of 

 a stout leather strap, 

 which should be 6 feet 

 long and IJ or 2 inches 

 wide and provided with 

 a very strong buckle se- 

 curely riveted to the 

 strap. Tongue holes 

 should be punched in 

 tlie strap 1 J inches ajjart 

 for a distance of 4 feet 

 from the end. It is de- 

 sirable tbat this strap 

 should be supple, as a 

 stiff strap is unmanage- 

 able. If the collection 

 is to be stationary for 

 a considerable length 

 of time, heavy weights, 



Fig. 4— Plant press closed. 



Fig. 5— Plant press open. 



such as flat rocks, bricks, a box of sand, or something of the kind, may 

 be used to obtain the requisite pressure, and the straps dispensed with 

 except when traveling. The lattice-work presses can not be recom- 

 mended, as they are much more liable to damage, and moreover the 

 jilants depend in drying more upon the absorptive qualities of the 

 paper employed than upon the evaporation which can take place from 

 the surface ot the package. 



