16 MISC. PUBLICATION 568, U. S. DEP'T. OF AGEICULTUEE 



stout cords are passed. The cords are tied at the top to close the case. 



The collecting case is filled with folded-newspaper sheets, opening on 

 the long, not the short, side (see Equipment for Plant Pressing, p. 20). 

 To keep the individual sheets from slipping about during the constant 

 opening and closing of the portfolio, it sometimes helps to make up 

 "booklets" of the sheets; that is, to insert about 10 of the sheets inside 

 another sheet. 



Any sort of sturdy pruning shears will serve, but experience has 

 shown that the type known to the trade as "snap-cut" (fig. 2, B) is more 

 satisfactory than some others. The snap-cut type is usually made of 

 lightweight metal; the lower blade acts as an anvil, with the upper blade 

 striking along a groove in the center of the anvil; also, the points of the 

 blades are rounded and fit better into the hip pocket. 



The pickax best suited for the purpose is the small entrenching tool 

 as issued by the Army, but these are now difficult to obtain, even in 

 second-hand shops. However, some biological-supply houses offer a 

 special plant-collecting pickax. A geologist's pick hammer can be used 

 but is not so serviceable. The entrenching tool has a blade for cutting- 

 through roots or digging in hard soil, whereas its pointed end is ideal for 

 work in rocky ground. 



In tropical vegetation a machete is almost essential for cutting trails, 

 hacking thick branches, opening hard fruits, etc. 



Collecting Hints 



Enough material should be gathered to make at least two complete 

 specimens — one to keep and one to send away for identification. How- 

 ever, additional material is always desirable, if time and conditions 

 permit. Duplicate specimens always enhance the value of collections, 

 because the extra material can be deposited in scattered institutions 

 and thus become available for study by scientists in various parts of 

 the world. Ten or more duplicates should be made of important plants. 



As the plants are collected, they should be inserted in the portfolio in 

 the same order as that in which they are collected throughout the day, 

 each collection occupying a separate page. Maintaining this order will 

 save time later during pressing operations, numbering of the specimens, 

 and in writing the permanent notes (see p. 21). 



It is better to make 10 good specimens than 100 poor ones. Remember 

 that the specimen must fit within a frame measuring 11H by I6V2 

 inches, which is the size of the standard sheet used in botanical institu- 

 tions of the United States for making permanent mounts of dried plants 

 (see figs. 5-24). Select material with this idea in mind. Careful search 

 usually yields sprays that will lie flat in the press. The flatter the speci- 

 men the better; any undue bulge from matted roots, crooked or thick 

 stems, or large fruits will result in shriveled leaves and unsightly speci- 

 mens. Furthermore, such material is difficult to mount later and also 

 takes up too much room in the filing cases. Try to collect from normal- 

 looking plants, not from sickly or weak plants, or those injured by hail, 

 frost, or fire, or damaged by insects, especially if the leaves are mutilated. 

 In the Tropics, leaf -cutting ants sometimes are so active that con- 

 siderable search may be required to find a specimen with undamaged 

 leaves. In some plants, especially trees, the young and old leaves may 

 differ in appearance, and the collector must attempt to include 1 both 

 kinds in his specimens. When smaller plants display a considerable 



