COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION. 45 



of bars running across the case, the results have been 

 most satisfactory. 



Where moss cannot be procured, it is better to use 

 shavings than either hay or straw ; if the plants should 

 start into growth during the voyage, the young 'roots 

 would attach themselves to the shavings. The best way, 

 however, to import Orchids, is in glass cases. 



The larger plants are placed on the bottom of the case, 

 and are held firmly by brass wire, nails are driven into 

 the sides of the frame and the span roof, to which plants 

 are suspended : all nails and wire should be of brass or 

 copper, as iron rusts. Care must be taken that the plants 

 do not rub against each other, which is easily prevented 

 by securing each one with wire. 



These cases must be made perfectly air-tight ; all joints 

 should be hermetically sealed. On arrival, care should 

 be taken to not expose the plants too suddenly to the 

 external air. There are many Orchids of very small size 

 and delicate growth, such, for instance, as Cortiparcttia, 

 Sophronitis, Burlingtonia. These should be sewed in a 

 mat, and lightly covered with moss. The mat, so dis- 

 posed as to bring the layers of plants one above the 

 other, is placed in a glass case, and it is seldom the plants 

 do not arrive in good condition. 



When very large masses of bulbs are to be sent, it is 

 better to pack them in a basket, fixing them in position 

 with bars of wood, tying the pseudo-bulbs strongly to- 

 gether, packing moss between to prevent them from 

 touching each other. 



The moss used should always be dry ; if green or wet 

 it causes the plants to rot, and almost always destroys 

 them. 



