11 



with which the air is oftentimes charged at sea, (especially 

 when the waves have white frothy curls upon thenij and 

 which on evaporation close up the pores of the plants and 

 destroy them, it will be proper, when they have been ex- 

 posed to them, to wash off the salt particles by sprinkling 

 the leaves with fresh water. 



The plants and seeds that are sown will occasionally re- 

 quire watering on the voyage, for which purpose rain 

 water is best. If, in any special case, particular instruc- 

 tions on this point, or upon any other connected with the 

 management of the plants during the voyage, be necessary, 

 they should be made known to those having charge of the 

 plants. But, after all, much will depend upon the judi- 

 cious care of those to whom the plants may be confided 

 during the voyage. 



Plants of the succulent kind, and particularly of the 

 Cactus family, should not be planted in earth, but in a 

 mixture of dry sand, old lime rubbish and vegetable mould, 

 in about equal parts, and should not be watered. 



It may not be necessary, in every case, to observe all 

 the precautions here recommended in regard to the putting 

 up and transmission of seeds ; but it is believed, that there 

 will be the risk in departing from them, in proportion to the 

 distance of the country from which the seeds are to be 

 brought, and to the difference of its latitude, or of the latitudes 

 through which they will pass on the voyage. It is not intend- 

 ed, however, by these instructions, to exclude the adoption 

 of any other modes of putting up and transmitting seeds 

 and plants, which are in use in any particular place, and 

 which have been found successful, especially if more sim- 

 ple. And it is recommended, not only that the aid of com- 

 petent persons be accepted in procuring and putting up 

 the seeds and plants, but that they be invited to offer any 

 suggestions in regard to the treatment of the plants during- 

 the voyage, and their cultivation and use afterwards. 



