PROTECTION OF PLANTS IN TRANSIT. 189 



Ball plants possess already a good protection in the lump 

 of earth in which the roots are imbedded. For transport 

 occupying not more than one day the balls should be packed 

 close together to prevent their drying up and the earth from 

 l)eing shaken off. Only in rare cases are such plants carried 

 over long distances, the cost being too great. 



Plants without a ball of earth should be at once protected. 

 This is best done by dipping the roots immediately after lifting 

 into soft mud, which forms a thin layer over them ; the plants 

 should then be tied together in bundles of convenient size. 

 For transport over short distances, which occupies not more 

 than one day, the bundles should be placed in baskets, wheel- 

 barrows, carts or waggons, according to circumstances, the 

 roots being surrounded by, or imbedded in, moss, grass, or 

 earth. If the weather is dry and the sun shining, some cover 

 may also be provided, to prevent the drying up of the foliage. 

 The moss or grass used to cover them should be moistened, 

 and this process may be repeated from time to time during 

 transit. 



If the transport extends over several days, further precau- 

 tions are necessary. The small bundles are, in that case, 

 bound together into large packages, by arranging the plants 

 so that the roots are all on one end, well wrapped in wet moss, 

 grass, &c., and then secured by withes. The whole package 

 is covered with matting. In the case of small or middle-sized 

 plants two layers are packed together with the roots in the 

 centre and the crowns outwards on both sides. Plants packed 

 in this manner keep fresh for a week, provided they are so 

 packed that no heating takes place. 



On arrival at their destination the plants should be at once 

 unpacked, and either planted out, or heeled in (bedded in 

 earth) until they can be planted. The imbedding is best done 

 by arranging the small bundles in trenches and covering the 

 roots and part of the stem with moist soil. If necessary, 

 shelter against the sun or dry winds may also be provided, 

 and the plants may be watered. 



