THE WATSON 
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Botanical Exchange Club. 
REPORT FOR 1916—17. 
The fact that over 2300 plants were contributed by twenty 
lembers in these busy and serious times is very satisfactory. 
Moreover, the specimens were very good, with few. exceptions; 
nd many interesting plants, including several novelties, were 
snt in. All the large “ critical’'' genera, with the exception of 
[icracium, were very sparingly represented; and there were 
emarkably few Monocotyledons, apart from some grasses and 
edges. But the list comprises numerous interesting varieties 
nd forms of other plants. Not a few of these appeared in Mr. 
Sarton’s large and neat parcel of about four hundred sheets 
The greater use of small envelopes for seeds, flowers, etc., 
rould be recommended. Some members send a liberal supply 
L dried mud with their specimens. Although very easily 
rmoved from grasses, etc., when dry, it adds to the work of the 
istri'outor In several cases extraneous vegetable matter was 
Ihering to the roots of plants. 
The time has come to say a word on the packing of parcels, 
id upon the awkwardly large and untidy sheets few members 
lopt. The waste of time in cutting down very la go and untidy 
eces of newspaper was alluded to by the late B H. Davey in 
ie Report for 1907 — 3, but it still has to be don ... Although 
ir Rule ; allow covers up to 18" x 12" (the width was exceeded 
st winter by several members), if herbarium sheets are 16" x 10". 
e size used at Eew and at certain Continental erbaria, no 
vers need exceed 17" x 11". Actually this work -has confirmed 
y opinion that if both covers and boards are only sligbtl >■ 
ger than the inner sheets the parcels travel better, md are 
