110 THE FERKS AND 



CHAPTER IV. 



HINTS ON COLLECTING AND CULTIVATING FERNS. 



'The taste for gathering ferns is a very common one, but, like many 

 ■others, it is none the worse occasionally of a little direction, and the 

 experience of others will be of service to those about to make a 

 •commencement in this direction. 



The apparatus required by the collector who is desirous of making 

 a collection of dried ferns is very simple. It is well, however, to 

 have it of the m.ost suitable kind, so as to ensure the maximum 

 ^amount of success. Some — when out in the field — take with them 

 an old scrap-book, or boards filled with sheets of newspaper or some 

 other slightly bibulous paper, but it will always be found better to 

 have a special book made for the purpose. The majority of ferns 

 -are best pressed when gathered, though many of the more coriaceous 

 kinds will keep well enough in a vasculum or japanned-tin collecting 

 "box. 



A convenient book for placing the specimens in when collecting is 

 made of thin wooden boards about 18 in. long by 12 in. broad, their 

 ■thickness depending on the nature of the wood employed. Thus, 

 English oak boards need not be more than § in. thick, while 

 common deal must be nearly J in., and even of this thickness will be 

 found to be as light as the other. The boards should be strengthened 

 with cross-pieces fastened to them by short screws let in from the 

 inside of the boards. Two leather straps passing through too narrow 

 slits within an inch of the edge of each board serve to tighten them 

 together, and these may be joined by a leather handle, or they may 

 Tje so arranged as to fasten knapsack-fashion on the back. The best 

 drying pads which can be used are made of a coarse bibulous paper, 

 specially prepared for botanical purposes ; but, in lieu of it, any 

 blotting paper will suffice. The specimens to be gathered should be, 

 of course, as perfect and complete as possible. Small species, which. 



