240 Principles of Plant Culture. 



it is more liable to heat and does not so well retain 

 moisture. 



Herbaceous plants, as the strawberry, cabbage, sweet 

 potato, etc., may be packed in layers separated with 

 moss, as follows : Over the bottom of a box, the width 

 of which is about twice as long as the plants to be 

 packed, and which has slatted sides, place a thin layer 

 of damp (not wet) moss, and over this, place a layer 

 formed of a double row of the plants, with their roots 

 at the center, overlapping a little, and tops toward 

 the sides of the box (Fig. 129). Then put in another 

 layer of moss and so on until the box is full, or the 

 desired quantity is packed. The thickness of the layers 

 will depend upon the time of year, the temperature, 

 the distance to be transported and the kind of plants. 

 The warmer the weather, the thinner should be the lay- 

 ers of plants, as a rule. When the top of the box is 

 put on, the contents should be pressed sufficiently to 

 prevent the plants from shaking out of place. 



406. Puddling the Roots of Trees, i. e., dipping 

 them in a paste of soil and water, is much practiced by 

 nurserymen and tends to prevent them from drying. 

 The paste should be made with rather light, loamy 

 soil and of the consistency of cream. 



407. Trees are commonly Bundled for Transporta- 

 tion to economize space. For this purpose, a device 

 resembling a sawbuck, with the arms cushioned with 

 burlap or carpeting is very convenient. The trees are 

 laid between the arms, with the roots placed evenly at 

 one end. The stems are then drawn snugly together 

 with a broad strap, after which they are bound with 



