444 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



are much more difficult to pack than are foliage plants. 

 Azaleas, ericas, Lorraine begonias, cyclamen and prim- 

 roses require special care. Wide spreading plants, like 

 azaleas, are usually shipped in bud. A stake is first 

 placed in the pot, and the outer branches are drawn in 

 to this stake and tied with raffia. They are then covered 

 with tissue paper, which is brought well around the 

 head of the plant and fastened securely, so there will 

 be no danger of the shoots being broken. The whole 

 plant is next wrapped in sheet cotton, covered with news- 

 papers and lastly with manila paper. Lorraine begonias, 

 and those of a similar character, are securely staked and 

 tied before shipping. 



737. Size of crate. An experienced packer can tell 

 at a glance just how large a crate is needed for a given 

 shipment. There are no rules governing this matter. 

 The plants should be packed securely, however, that the 

 cost of transportation may not be increased, but not 

 closely enough to injure the tops. 



738. Method of packing. Flowering plants are 

 shipped in the pots, and are packed upright in the box. 

 A box of the required size is selected and lined with several 

 thicknesses of paper. LTpright stakes are placed in each 

 corner, and after the plants are packed securely and 

 covered with wrapping paper, slats are nailed to the side 

 of the uprights and also across the top. This makes a 

 convenient packing case, in which plants will travel 

 long distances without injury. The bottom of the box 

 is usually lined with excelsior or dry moss, and the spaces 

 between the pots are filled with the same material. This 

 keeps the plants firm. After the plants are in place, a 

 cross strip of two inches by one inch material is nailed 

 inside the box to keep the pots in place, so in case the 



