COLLECTING AND DRYING. 2! 
COLLECTING AND DRYING. 
It will scarcely be necessary to say much about col- 
lecting and drying ferns, as nearly every reader of this 
book has had at least some experience in this line. It 
is very difficult to dry wild-flowers well, especially those 
which are thick and succulent; but ferns are so thin and 
delicate that any ordinary book will, to some extent, 
answer the purpose. Boards, however, are better—two 
boards about eighteen inches long, ten inches wide, and 
half an inch thick, with cross pieces at the ends, to pre- 
vent warping; plenty of soft, porous paper (carpet paper), 
and two leather straps. Add to these a long tin box, for 
preserving the specimens, and the outfit is complete. See 
that the specimens you select are perfect, by examining the 
backs of the fronds and observing whether the fruit-patches 
are well developed—in a word, whether they are character- 
istic examples of the plants you wish to preserve. The 
advanced student will probably select a number of fronds, 
showing different stages in the life of the plant; but the 
beginner should obtain the specimen apparently most char- 
acteristic, including the root, if not too large. If it is 
wanted for transplanting, it should be removed carefully, 
with plenty of its native soil. 
The proper way to make a herbarium is this: select a 
specimen, characteristic both of the species and genus, 
well formed in every respect, with every leaflet perfect; 
if the root is to be taken, remove the soil carefully, without 
destroying the delicate rootlets; next place the plant be- 
