36 



MISC. PUBLICATION 568, U. S. DEP'T. OF AGRICULTURE 



When forced to improvise a method for drying plants, the collector, 

 depending upon circumstances, can utilize ordinary cooking stoves, 

 baker's ovens, boilers or engines on ships, charcoal braziers, or even the 

 glowing coals of a campfire. 



Whatever the source of artificial heat, the collector must be extremely 

 careful to keep the heat from being too intense. If the heat cannot be 

 supported by the palm of the hand, it is too hot for the plants and will 

 cook rather than dry them. Excessive heat also makes the dried speci- 

 mens too brittle. 



Figure 29. — Drying box, about 4 feet long, designed to hold two full, or several small, 

 presses. Note small press in position; also t} T pe of slipknot in rope. The electric-light 

 bulbs are about 8 inches below the press. 



Where electricity is available, a convenient drying box can be made. 

 The construction is simple, being merely the fitting of a wooden (or 

 metal) box frame, without top or bottom covering, with ordinary 100- 

 watt electric-light bulbs placed at the bottom. The plant presses fit 

 inside the box, resting on crossbars, about 8 inches above the electric- 



