DRYING FERN FRONDS. 



105 



already -known methods ; and it is to their labours that we are indebted for 

 much valuable information regarding this interesting operation. The first 

 and most important point consists in securing the fronds at the most 

 propitious time, and in a perfectly dry state. When quite matured, they 

 may be gathered at any time of the year, irrespective of seasons ; but great 

 care should always be taken to secure them in such a state that neither 

 the least condensed moisture nor wet of any kind should be on them when 

 cut for pressing. The selection of a dry and warm place appropriate for 

 drying purposes is also a point of nearly as great importance as the one just 

 referred to, for it is essential that the drying should be done rapidly and 

 uninterruptedly ; and to secure something like even results, it is best to have 

 the fronds placed between two boards. As drying material, blotting-paper 

 is undoubtedly the best ; still, it is not indispensable, and there is no particular 

 need of employing it exclusively, for excellent results are also obtained by the 

 use of newspapers, or, indeed, of any paper which is not glazed, and which 

 accordingly will freely absorb the moisture Avhich newly- cut fronds are sure 

 to produce in a greater or less quantity. It was in such material that, some 

 eighteen years ago, we dried, with the most complete success, coloured young 

 fronds of the delicately-tinted Adiantum rubellum, A. Veitchianum, and 

 A. macrophyllum ; also of Pteris quadriaurita tricolor, young and partially- 

 developed fronds of Davallia divaricata, and, above all, a magnificently - 

 tinged frond of Adiantum tenerum Farley 'ense, which had been grown close 

 to the light, and which was of a lovely pinkish hue ; all these fronds have to 

 this day retained their colours so wonderfully well as to appear even now 

 quite fresh. 



After they have been gathered, the fronds must not be allowed to shrivel 

 in the least, but must be dried immediately. From considerable experience, 

 we find the following plan to be the one which produces the most satisfactory 

 results : Let a frond, if of a large size, or several smaller ones, be put in 

 the paper in such a way as to avoid touching each other ; then place 

 between each lot four or five sheets of paper. When several layers have been 

 thus disposed of, put them between two boards, and submit them gradually 

 to the gentle pressure of an ordinary press, or of a weight sufficient to 

 keep them from shifting, but not too heavy, as this, by bruising them, 

 would cause a predisposition to discolour. When laying the fronds in 



p 



