39 



TRANSMITTING SEEDS, PLANTS, CUTTINGS, OR 

 POLLEN, FROM ABROAD. 



" The wild flowers of every clime 

 Find shelter in our little isle." 



THE following excellent practical information on transmitting 

 seeds, plants, or cuttings was originally published in the l Pro- 

 ceedings of the Edinburgh Botanical Society,' and is so clear 

 and useful that we reproduce it here. The seeds of many 

 tropical plants are very difficult to import in a living state, 

 Nepenthes, Amherstia, and others being familiar examples to 

 propagators. Mr M'Nab says : 



" I have repeatedly tried to get collectors to send home seeds 

 in strong earthen jars or bottles, firmly packed in soil and 

 closely corked, the soil to be taken 6-8 inches below the sur- 

 face, so as to contain the natural moisture only. As far back 

 as 1834 I introduced in this way acorns of many varieties of 

 American Oaks in excellent condition for growing, while por- 

 tions of the same lot of seeds brought home in paper and in 

 canvas bags did not succeed. Some Acorns were also brought 

 home between layers of Sphagnum moss, having the superfluous 

 moisture previously wrung out of it. By this method of pack- 

 ing, the acorns all succeeded well. During Dr Little's visit to 

 Edinburgh (from Singapore) in the year 1870, 1 told him of the 

 disappointments so often experienced with many of his seeds, 

 and recommended him to try the stone-bottle system ; and soon 

 afterwards I received a stone jar from him filled with Palm 

 seeds firmly packed in soil, all quite fresh and capable of ger- 

 mination. In districts where Sphagnum moss abounds I would 

 recommend it in preference to soil, as it retains the moisture 

 for a much longer time, and is not liable to mould or decay. 

 In Sphagnum moss the radicles of the seed are often slightly 

 protruding when they reach their destination, while the soil 

 with its natural moisture keeps the seeds in much the same 

 condition as when sent away. Either system is good, and 



