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Photographing Flowers and Ferns

Categories: Ix On The Trail With Your Camera

If your camera will focus so that you can place it near enough to take

small objects such as flowers and ferns, another field of interest is

open to you and you can add a record of those found on the trail to

complete your series. A camping trip will afford better and more

unhurried opportunities for photographing flowers than a one day's

trail, unless you carry a box or basket with you for securing specimens

that you
an take back and photograph at leisure. Do not break the stems

of the flowers or plants, take them roots and all. Loosen the soil all

around and under the roots so that which clings to the plant may be

undisturbed and taken up with it. If the soil falls away, cover the root

with damp loam or mud and tie it up in a large leaf as in illustration.

This method not only keeps it from wilting but will enable you to take a

picture of the growing plant with all its interesting characteristics.

If you put your plant with its clod of earth in a _shallow_ bowl, pour

in as much water as the bowl will hold, and keep it always full, it will

remain fresh and vigorous a long while and may be transplanted to

continue its life and growth after you have finished with it.



MUD AROUND THE ROOTS



WRAPPED IN LEAVES]



Just here must come the caution not to tear up wild plants by their

roots unless they are to serve a real purpose. Some of our most

beautiful wild flowers and rarest ferns are now in danger of being

exterminated because of thoughtless and careless people who, in

gathering them, will not even take the trouble to break the stems. When

the roots are gone there will be no more flowers and ferns.



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