PACKING OF SEEDLINGS FOR SHORT JOURNEYS. SOI 



continually changing shape under the ever changing pressure 

 inevitable during transport and thus produce rupture of the balls 

 of earth, if not of the roots themselves. Special packing cases, 

 with one side hinged so as to fall back and facilitate the removal 

 of the plants, are much better than baskets. These cases may be 

 converted into handbarrows carried by two coolies. AVhen the 

 nature of the ground permits, wheelbarrows or hand-carts, with a 

 similarly hinged side, would be used with a great saving of labour, 

 time and money ; and if the country is suited for bullock waggons, 

 these would be the most economical means of conveyance for dis- 

 tances exceeding half a mile. The waggons should be deep and 

 contain one or more sliding trays, so that several tiers of small 

 plants may be carried one over the other. If the journey is to 

 extend over several hours of day-light, it is advisable, although not 

 absolutely necessary, to shade the plants with a piece of dark- 

 coloured cloth or with a light cover made of tough leaves, such as 

 those of Bauhinia Vahlii, teak, palms, &c. 



SEEDLINGS WITH NAKED BOOTS. If the distance is very short 

 and the weather wet, it will often suffice to lay the plants more or 

 less loosely in long baskets or wheel or hand barrows lined with 

 moss or soft green grass or leaves and twigs, which should also be 

 spread over the roots and lower part of the stem. Before putting 

 the plants into the baskets it is often advisable, when the weather 

 is uncertain, to dip the roots in water thickened with fine clay or 

 cattle droppings, which forms a thin protective coating over them. 

 For longer carriage it is a good plan to pack them horizontally in 

 rectangular bamboo baskets with removeable covers, the lining of 

 green soft stuff not being omitted. If the entire length of the 

 plants does not exceed 2 feet, and men able to carry baughies are 

 available, the plants may be packed upright in light iron buckets, 

 which should then be filled up with water or, better still, with 

 liquid mud. For long carriage, waggons with high sides, if their 

 employment is practicable, are most to be recommended ; in them 

 the plants will be laid horizontally on the bottom and on the trays, 

 and pressed as tight as they can be packed together without being 

 injured. 



The amouut of care and precautions to take will of course de- 

 pend on the condition and general characteristics of the weather, 

 and particularly on the nature of the species. Species developing 

 rhizomes or capable of growing from cuttings will require least 

 care. 



According to the size of the plants and whether their roots have 



