340 SEEDING AND PLANTING 



are placed upright upon it, the burlap about them being held 

 in place by crowding. The box will hold about 1500 medium- 

 sized transplants. When filled, moss is crowded into all open 

 spaces along the sides. A layer of moss is also placed along the 

 sides of the box as the bundles are put in. After nailing on 

 the slat covers, it is thoroughly drenched with water. A box 

 weighs approximately 75 pounds when packed and ready for 

 shipment. 



9. Packing in Boxes. Tight boxes should never be used in 

 shipping nursery stock. The size and form of the box should be 

 governed by the size and character, as well as the quantity, of 

 the stock in the shipment. Many nurseries use second-hand boxes 

 purchased from nearby towns and villages, selecting forms and 

 sizes suitable for the classes of stock that 

 they handle. When such boxes are avail- 

 able they serve admirably as shipping boxes 

 and cost less than new boxes. When 

 second-hand boxes are not available stand- 

 ard forms of shipping boxes are constructed 

 at the nursery (Fig. 98). 



In shipping broadleaved species in which 

 the roots occupy more diameter space than 

 FIG. 98. Standard ship- the topg ^ the treeg are tie( j in bundles of 



ping box for conifer- 25 depending upon their size, and 



ous seedlings and small i , 



transplants. the bundles arranged in the box with the 



roots toward the ends of the box and the tops 



overlapping. Damp moss, straw, or hay is packed about the 

 roots and the whole surrounded by burlap. One or more cleats 

 are firmly pressed down on the plants and fastened with nails 

 driven into the box from the side. It is very important that 

 the plants should not become loose and shake about during 

 transport. 



Coniferous roots occupy much less diameter space than the 

 tops; furthermore, because of the foliage the tops demand air. 

 In packing small coniferous seedlings and transplants a quantity 

 of damp sphagnum moss is placed crosswise of the center of the 

 box and at equal distance from the ends. A number of the bundles 

 are placed side by side so that the roots rest upon the moss and 

 the tops are within 2 or 3 inches of the end of the box. An equal 

 number of bundles are now placed with the tops lying in the other 



