CHAP. III. CONVEYANCE. 89 



the principle upon which it is performed appears to have been 

 but very imperfectly understood. 



The mode of proceeding in this country is the very reverse of 

 that practised of late in England. Instead of removing the 

 earth at some distance from the tree and cutting away the ends 

 of the roots there, the practice in India is to open the soil im- 

 mediately at the base of the stem, clear away some of the small 

 roots, and after a week or two fill in with manure and cover 

 over again with soil. This, though apparently opposed to 

 theory, is, in fact, most efficacious in practice. The trees 

 treated thus bear prodigiously. 



Mr. Kivers remarks : " The object constantly had in view is 

 to make fruit-trees healthy and fruitful by keeping their roots 

 near the surface. The root-pruning and biennial removal, so 

 earnestly recommended, are the proper means to bring about 

 these results, as they place the roots within the influence of the 

 sun and air. The ground over the roots of garden-trees, as 

 generally cultivated, is dug once or twice a year, so that every 

 surface-fibre is destroyed and the larger roots driven down- 

 wards."* This object is completely effected by our Indian 

 practice. On opening, as usual, the soil at the base of the 

 stem each year, the large dense mass of fibrous roots that 

 presents itself is often quite astonishing. 



CONVEYANCE. 



The importing of plants, to this country or the conveyance of 

 them from any one part of it to another at a considerable dis- 

 tance, is generally attended with some trouble, and not a little 

 expense. Where, however, the expense is not minded, unques- 

 tionably the best of all means of transmitting plants is in what 

 are called Wardian cases. 



A Wardian case is simply a strong wooden box, with a high- 

 pitched roof fitted on to it. The roof is glazed with small 

 overlapping panes of glass, across which rows of stout wires are 

 fastened, to protect them from being broken. One of the sides of 

 the roof is made to screw on and off, for putting in or taking out 

 the plants. The bottom of the case is filled with soil, in which 

 the plants to be conveyed are planted very closely together for 

 economy's sake. When they have become pretty well established 



* ' Miniature Fruit Garden,' p. iv. 10th ed. 



