PATIENT STUDY 119 
others require quite a long time in the press. Where 
roots are thick and full of moisture, like those of the 
carrot, they can be pared down, so that a thin 
section along their length remains. If the plants 
are very large, characteristic parts of them—roots, 
leaves, flowers, etc.—can be selected before pressing, 
and in this way all the necessary parts of the 
specimen can be got on to one sheet. 
I can’t help feeling annoyed when I see children, 
and sometimes grown-up people, gathering great 
quantities of wild flowers, only to throw them away 
when they are faded, or they are tired of carrying 
them. In collecting don’t take any more specimens 
than you really need, particularly when the kinds 
are rare or uncommon. Botanists do not want our 
rare flowers to become extinct ; on the other hand, 
they are anxious for them to increase. You can do 
good service by scattering seeds of rare plants in 
places where they are likely to grow and do no 
harm. 
Let me tell you that there is no royal road to 
botany, no “ serve-you-while-you-wait ’” method of 
gaining plant-lore. You can become a good botanist 
only by patient study, careful observation, and 
much experience in the field. Your knowledge will 
grow “line upon line, precept upon precept.” Gain 
a little each day or each week, and you will in a few 
years have a wealth of knowledge that will never 
fail to give you pleasure. There are some things 
that you must learn before you can identify plants 
for yourselves ; don’t funk a few big words and some 
technicalities, rather get to know their meanings 
and uses. There are practical and interesting ways 
