COLLECTING ECONOMIC PLANT DATA 39 



Packing for Shipment 



In packing a large collection of plants for shipment, it is best to 

 arrange the collection numbers so that they follow consecutively in 

 each bundle. The individual sheets should be stacked neatly in piles; 

 otherwise the specimens may be broken in subsequent wrapping and 

 handling of the packages. The bundles ordinarily should not be more 

 than 12 to 14 inches high when tied tightly. Each bundle should be 

 protected top and bottom with a sheet of stout cardboard or equivalent 

 material. The first strings are placed about 4 inches from either end, 

 and the bundle afterward wrapped in paper. If the bundles are to go 

 into a wooden or cardboard box this preliminary wrapping and tying 

 will probably suffice, if the bundles are wedged with crumpled paper or 

 excelsior to prevent shaking about. Single bundles going by mail or 

 express need the additional protection of an outer layer of heavy wrap- 

 ping paper. Wrapping should be done securely, and for long shipments 

 it is sometimes advisable to sew a muslin cover over each bundle. 



PLANT PRODUCTS FOR ANALYSIS 



The basic information required for an analysis sample is the same 

 as that needed for any other kind of collection, but supplementary notes 

 and special information should indicate the need or desirability for 

 analysis. 



Suggested Notes To Accompany Samples 



A-4280 Sapium (leaves) 



Sangre de drago. 10 km. W. of San Martin de la Cruz, banks of Rio Suciatetomba. 



Depart. Cundinamarca, Colombia, S. Am. July 7, 1939. Natives use leaf decoction 



as cough cure. 

 A-4281 (roots) (2 sacks) 



Orella de hurra. 10 km. W. of San Martin de la Cruz, banks of Rio Suciatetomba. 



Depart. Cundinamarca, Colombia, S. Am. July 7, 1939. Used to kill head lice. 



Test for insecticidal properties. 

 A-4285 Cinchona (bark) 



Quina. 20 km. E. of San Martin, Depart. Cundinamarca, Colombia, S. Am. El. 



4,000 m. July 15, 1939. Apparently out of range. Not used by natives here. Test for 



quinine content. 



As already indicated in the Introduction, analysis material should 

 not be shipped except by previous arrangement with some particular 

 agency, or person who is to make the analysis, and who, also, has given 

 special instructions on preparing and shipping the samples. Usually 

 about 5 pounds of material are required for an analysis, but the quantity 

 might be less or more, depending upon the kind of product and upon the 

 circumstances. 



As a general rule, every sample for analysis should be accompanied 

 by a good pressed specimen. It is important, too, that the pressed speci- 

 men actually come from the plant from which the analysis sample was 

 taken. This is particularly true when critical studies are being made 

 of the economic plants of a region. The collector not only must verify 

 the accuracy of his information but also be certain that the informa- 

 tion relates to a definite specimen. 



When convenient, wood samples should be made from all important 

 trees, especially those used for lumber or construction. A sample measur- 

 ing about 1 foot long and 3 inches in diameter will suffice for sapwood, 

 although a much larger one, including heartwood, is even better. 



