Sample holding system, including methods and apparatus, including a holder defining a well having a wicking promoter that encourages flow of a sample to the bottom of the well. In synchronization with a count clock, a counter decrements a counter value during activation of the first voltage comparison signal and increments the counter value during activation of the second voltage comparison signal. The ink drying device includes a hot air supply unit for supplying a hot air to a portion near the outlet of the drying section, and a hot air blow-back unit for blowing back a solvent vapor remaining and staying around the printed paper surface into the drying section. Furthermore, it is easy to dispose the spent waste water treating material. The first position is located on an opposite side of the central region with respect to the second position. In this improved method, specific raw materials andor specific materials of construction are used.