99 



bent do\Yn and tied to tlie stems, Thej should then be packed in 

 boxes in sawdust or cocoanut fibre. Cycads may be treated in 

 the same way, except that they may be sent in boxes without 

 packing of any kind. Succulent plants, such as Agaves, Aloes, 

 and Cacti will travel safely if packed in a ventilated box in dry 

 shavings, and directed to be stowed in a cool, dry j)lace on board 

 ship. 



4. Orchids. — Those kinds which have fleshy pseudobulbs, such 

 as Dendrohium, Epidendrum, Cattleya, Catasetum and Odonto- 

 glossum, should be collected at the end of the growing season, 

 dried a little by exposure, and then packed in light boxes in dry 

 wood shavings. Wide, shallow boxes are preferable to deep 

 boxes ; the latter, if used at all, should have battens placed across 

 to support the upper layer of plants and prevent the others being 

 crushed . A few holes should be bored into the sides of the boxes 

 for ventilation. They may be sent by steamer and labelled " For 

 cool, dry place in hold." Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Cypripedium, 

 and all such Orchids which have no ileshy stem or pseudobulb, 

 should be packed in close boxes or Wardian cases with damp 

 moss or soil. If possible, they should have attention during the 

 voyage. Tuberous Orchids may be sent as advised for tubers. 



5 Wardian Cases.— This method is an expensive one, and 

 should therefore only be used for plants which cannot be sent 

 by any other means^ Where convenient, the plants should be 

 established in pots before being packed in the cases; if this can- 

 not be done, the plants should be placed m soil m the cases 

 several weeks, if possible, before despatch. Plants dug out of 

 the mound and immediately sent on a long voyage have a poor 

 chance of surviving. In packing the soil should be rammed 

 tirmly about the pots or roots of the plants, and they should be 

 kept m position by fastening strips of batten transversely between 

 the rows. This is important as a guard against accident^m case 

 of overturning or rocking. The plants should be moderately 

 moist at the roots when packed, but no water should be given 

 immediately before the cases are screwed up. Many plants are 

 Skd by the excessive moisture inside , the case which result 

 from saLating the soil at the time of packing. Slender and 

 tea" plants shLld be supported by upright stakes Each plan 

 rhould have a label bearing its name or number and this should 

 be securely fastened to the stem or stake of the plant itself . The 

 ^lass o tie case should be protected by stout laths or strong 

 ^dre netting. When first invented the success of the A\ardian 

 :::: as l mfans of carrying plants long ^-ta-es was supj^^^ 

 defend on its being kept absolutely air-tight. . It is ±ou ml, no^v 

 <iepena on „ijj,ts travel better when a small hole about 



lT1;e?^f in diaSr is bored in each end of the case near tl^ 

 top Wardian cases should always be conspicuously labelled, 



^^T?At? TlFrK" TINDER AWNlNG. . i p . i a 4.. 



Se iUustration .hows the coBdition o. aroval »' *« -°'-^; 

 „f two W.rdian cases «-^ly-nt f;-^^- .^f^/reacW 

 ^»!!!J^!''Tf::r;:'l TZ Is, when the photograph was 



Uganda, on July 



A 2 



