OF A COUNTY HERBARIUM.
73
COLLECTING.
Specimens should, as far as possible, be collected in dry weather ;
when collected in wet weather they are very apt to change their
colour. Vigorous specimens growing under normal conditions should
certainly be selected ; but other forms should also be represented, tor
a plant which loves a dry soil would, if grown in a damp situation,
become abnormally leafy, and other similar changes would be pro-
duced by surroundings dissimilar to the natural conditions most suit-
able to the species. Careful record should be kept of any circum-
stance connected with the spot where a plant was found, the geological
formation, the surface soil it was growing in, or any other circum-
stance likely to cause variation from the type.
Every part of the plant should when possible be secured, i.e.,
root, radical and cauline leaves, inflorescence, and fruit. Frequently
these cannot be obtained at the same season of the year; in which
case they must each be secured in their proper seasons. Large
plants have often to be divided to get them into the vasculum, or
between the drying papers, while of shrubs or trees we must content
ourselves by selecting a suitable branch.
In the case of rare species it is clearly wrong to take up the root
of the plant, unless the root is characteristic of the species, for
although few plants are so rare for a single root to be of consequence,
it is important for a county club to set all collectors a good exam-
ple. Nor must we overlook the fact that some orchids are known to
be destroyed by merely plucking their blossom ; it would therefore be
well to be cautious with rare orchids and allied plants and not to
pluck more blossoms than are required.
The ordinary tin vasculum, which should be 18in. x 7 in. x 31/2in., is
in my opinion the best and most convenient arrangement for carry-
ing plants in, though some advocate various forms of portfolios
Plants carried in such a box will remain fresh for many hours, upon
the hottest day, especially if a damp cloth be placed inside it.
DRYING.
The best form of drying press consists of two boards 20 in. x
12 in. These must be strongly clamped to prevent warping.
The necessary pressure is best provided by strapping them together
by two straps made of strong webbing about an inch and a
quarter wide ; these should be very strongly made by a saddler. I