The pile of paper, with plants between each five or six thicknesses of
paper, and gratings at intervals of about two inches, should be squeezed
between the outer (iron) gratings by means of two strong straps. Too much
pressure is not desirable. For a pile ten or twelve inches thick, the
parcel may be pulled nearly as tight as a moderate man can do it; but in
proportion as the thickness is less, the pressure should be moderated.
Plants with fleshy leaves are very difficult to dry well. The best way
is to dip them in quite boiling water for a minute or less, then to lay
them between a few sheets of drying paper with slight pressure, merely
to remove the exterior moisture, and then place them (when externally
dry) in the drying press. Plants collected in rain should be treated in a
similar way to remove outer moisture before it is attempted to dry them.
4. When once dry, plants may be packed away between paper of almost any
kind. Old newspapers answer very well. The only precaution needed is to
preserve them from insects.
The chief trouble in collecting plants is to get the paper already used
thoroughly dry before it is again employed. The best resource in dry
climates is to stretch cords and hang these papers exposed to sun and
air. Artificial heat must be resorted to in wet seasons, but the process
is then slow and troublesome.
For a traveller wishing to make large collections, the time consumed in
changing the paper in which the plants are dried becomes an important
consideration. I have adopted with advantage a suggestion of the late
Professor A. Gray to use, instead of ordinary drying paper, sheets cut
to the proper size, of the paper-felt which is used for laying under
carpets. The specimens when originally laid out for drying are placed
within sheets of thin paper without size, such as filtering paper, and
as a rule these do not need to be changed. One sheet of felt-paper is
generally sufficient between each layer of plants, and the operation of
changing the paper is very quickly effected.
It is an important rule to note _the locality_ where the specimens have
been collected, _with the date_. If proper care be taken to keep together
all the specimens collected at the same time, it is not necessary to
place a separate scrap of paper within each sheet; but it is advisable to
do this when the dried specimens are packed for transmission home.
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