This time I would like to call your attention to the subject of botany. It might seem rather odd at this time of year, but you know that the farmers have more time now than in summer to read THE PRAIRIE FARMER. It is better for the farmer’s boys to become acquainted with the laws of nature than to spend their time in reading novels, or other books, which bring them little information. A little knowledge of the nature of plants is worth infinitely more to the farmer’s son or daughter, or even to the farmer himself, because it has special relation to his calling. And in order to obtain a practical knowledge it is best to study the plants themselves, their structure, their habitat and peculiarity of growth, etc., and in order to do so, it is best to have some apparatus for the purpose, requisite for the accomplishment of this object. The student in botanical science should give early and persevering attention to the collection and preservation of specimens of as many species of plants as he can procure. The advantages to be derived from such collections, either in refreshing the memory by reviewing them, or in instituting a more thorough examination at one’s leisure, are such as will afford an abundant compensation for all the labor requisite in preparing them. Such a collection of dried specimens of plants is called an herbarium, or by the more significant title, hortus siccus (dry garden). The apparatus requisite for the accomplishment of this object is, first, a close tin box, twenty inches in length, and of a portable form; second, a portable press, consisting of two boards of light material, twelve by eighteen inches, opening and shutting by hinges, like the cover of a book, and secured by springs (even a large book is a good substitute); third, a quantity of smooth, bibulous paper, of large size (a dozen or more quires of printing paper); fourth, eight or ten boards of the same size as the paper; fifth, a small screw press, or several lead weights of various sizes, from fifteen to thirty pounds each. In gathering plants for this purpose, or specimens, as they are called, the smaller and herbaceous plants should be taken up with a portion of the roots, while from larger plants there should be selected a shoot, with complete representations of the leaves and flowers. They may be preserved for several days, without withering, in the tin box, or they may at once be laid between several thicknesses of the paper and inclosed in the portable press. It is always desirable that they be gathered on a dry day; if not they should be freed from dampness before being committed to the paper and press.