63 



HOIV TO SEND CROP DISEASES BY MAIL. 



The forwardin.2^ of specimens by post is usually an easy mat- 

 ter. It is only necessary to enclose the specimens in a tin or. 

 wooden case such that the specimens may be fully protected 

 from the handling to which the ordinary postal matter is 

 subjected. 



The most important point is that the specimens arrive in the 

 freshest possible condition. To this end they should be gath- 

 ered and packed shortly before the mail leaves for Honolulu. 

 A few hours extra time in transit sometimes makes a great 

 difference in the state of the shipment on arrival. This mat- 

 ter is therefore an important one, and, fortunately, in most 

 cases, a little thought will make it no more difficult to comply 

 with this condition than to neglect it. 



If it can be done it is best to send the material in its natural 

 state, that is, not preserved in any fluid. In the case of the 

 softest and most perishable matter that can not be sent ex- 

 cept in fluid, the best way is to place the specimens in a pre- 

 servative mixture made by adding two parts of strong form- 

 aldehyde to one hundred parts of water, or one part of strong 

 wood alcohol to two parts of water. After placing the speci- 

 mens in a bottle, the bottle should be filled full of the pre- 

 serving fluid so that there shall be no bubbles after the cork 

 is inserted. It is best, unless the corking is uncommonly well 

 done, to seal the cork over with wax or paraffin. 



In sending matter of this class be careful to send all the 

 stages that can be mustered, from the very earliest stages to 

 the very latest. It is not necessary to send a large amount 

 of material, but every stage possible should be included. 



Blighted leaves and twigs may be placed loosely in a tin. 

 The tin should be a close one unless the material will be sev- 

 eral days in transit, in which case it may be advisable to punc- 

 ture the tin with a few small holes. 



As a rule, roots should be sent with the soil attached. 



It is not best, as a rule, to send specimens in an ordinary 

 envelope, but it is better to send them thus than not at all. 

 Some specimens, such as dried leaves and bark, may be sent 

 in this way if wrapped in several folds of soft cloth. 



In case any special method is necessary, the empty package 

 and the necessary preservatives will be forwarded free by post, 

 after the receipt of specimens in the ordinary way proves in- 

 effective. 



Bottles containing fluid should be enclosed in boxes in 

 packing material so as to preclude all possibility of breakage. 



Specimens of leaves or twigs sent in their natural condition 

 should not be gathered when wet, or, if gathered w^et, should 

 be allowed to dry until they resume their dry-weather appear- 



