PACKING, SHIPPING AND BUSINESS MATTERS 6^ 



may appear too long at first, but they are better too long 

 than too short. Line the boxes first with four to eight 

 thicknesses of newspapers, depending on the weather. 

 Then a single thickness of soft wax paper all around. 

 Commence and put in a row of Carnations, usually about 

 six flowers to a row, and between each row of heads place a 

 strip of wax paper about 3 in. wide and as long as the box 

 is wide; about five rows of flowers in each end will constitute 

 a layer, and between each layer place a sheet of wax paper 

 the width of the box and long enough to cover all the 

 heads in that layer; keep on until the box is completed. 



It will be found that with the extra long stems now 

 being grown four or five rows in each end of the box 

 will be all that can be put in a layer, as by that time the 

 stems will be within 6 in. of the opposite row of flower 

 heads. The number of layers of flowers should not go over 

 four or six, which will allow from 200 to 300 Carnations 

 in one box. In the center of the box where the stems meet 

 there should be placed at least eight or ten thicknesses of 

 well saturated newspapers. These newspapers should be 

 kept in a pail of water so that they will have had absorbed 

 all the water they possibly can before being placed on the 

 stems. After putting this wet paper on the stems, place 

 the two cleats on and fasten them down securely with 

 nails. Be careful in placing the cleats to put them only 

 on the double rows of stems and not beyond, and also see 

 there is plenty of wet newspapers under them, so there 

 will be no danger of breaking the stems by pushing the 

 cleats too far down. 



The subject of icing a box is a debatable point, but for 

 long-distance shipments our experience is that a small 

 piece of ice well wrapped with newspapers helps to preserve 

 the flowers from heat; and also keeps the newspapers over 



