PACKING PLANTS 19 



trapped and set upright in shallow boxes which have been provided with 

 a post in each corner to which cleats are nailed. Then slats are placed an 

 Inch apart to form the cover, thus assuring a free circulation of air. 



For Mail In packing plants for mail shipments the soil is washed 

 1'roin the roots, these are then wrapped in damp moss and wax paper in 

 small bundles, containing not to exceed 25 in each bundle. These are gen- 

 erally labeled with a tough paper label and packed in parafine lined boxes 

 or those made of corrugated board. All unoccupied space must be filled 

 firmly with excelsior or similar material. 



For Export In packing for export there are two systems employee!, 

 one for the winter months, when they are packed tight, and the other 

 for summer, which should provide light and air to the plants. When 

 packed close, excessive moisture is to be strongly guarded against. Under 

 Rich conditions the plants are sure to rot if they are to remain packed 

 more than six days. There is sufficient moisture in the plant itself to 

 retain vitality for some time, and whatever is used to fill up the inter- 

 vening spaces should be perfectly dry. Moss, excelsior or cocoanut fiber 

 are the best materials for filling. 



Plants that are to be exported should be put into a cold, airy house 

 for a week or ten days and watered very sparingly so as to harden the 

 wood, as they usually perish in transit if the growth is soft. Before plac- 

 ing in the boxes remove most of the foliage as it is very apt to die and 

 cause decay. The balls of earth should be wrapped in dry moss and tied 

 securely. Place the plants in an upright position, on the bottom of the 

 "box, using a cleat to each row ; to hold them secure. If the weather is 

 severe, protection against frost will be necessary, and may be provided as 

 jreviously described. 



In hot weather the same method is employed with the exception that 

 damp moss is used, wrapping each ball with wax paper. Holes are bored 

 through the sides of the box to admit light and air. The holes are gen- 

 erally covered on the inside of the box with galvanized wire screen to 

 keep mice from girdling them while on ship-board. 



Small foreign shipments are sometimes made by removing the soil and 

 placing the plants in tin boxes, filling the intervening spaces with dry 

 cocanut fiber or moss. It is very important when packed in this manner 

 that all the leaves be removed except those undeveloped at the top. If 

 the plants have been hardened there will be little loss. It is easy to test 

 any system of packing, by preparing a shipment, and lay it away for a 

 period equal to that required in transportation, after which it may be 

 opened and the condition of the plants carefully noted, or if desired pot 

 them to ascertain how many will survive. 



