PACKING THE FLOWERS. 153 



as they are taken from the water have the stems 

 wrapped in soft tissue paper. The stems are then 

 dipped in water again and the bunches packed 

 closely in the box, stems down. When properly 

 packed the flowers should not shake or mash. 

 Finally the boxes are sealed and are labeled with 

 the grower's name and address. 



Before beginning the packing, the boxes are 

 lined with newspapers, with oiled paper next to 

 the flowers. In winter great care has to be exer- 

 cised to keep the flowers from freezing. It is 

 often necessary to line the boxes with six or seven 

 thicknesses of newspaper in order to keep out 

 frost. In some cases felt is used, but newspapers, 

 being always at hand, are more convenient, and 

 besides are just as serviceable, and in some re- 

 spects more desirable. 



In some cases a plan of packing flowers in 

 wooden boxes provided with trays is followed. 

 Such trays are made about two inches deep and 

 have wire netting on the bottom. The mesh of 

 the netting must be of sufficient size to allow the 

 stems to project through. These make excellent 

 shipping boxes, and by arranging two trays in a 

 box, from one thousand to twelve hundred flowers 

 can be shipped in one package. The same pre- 

 cautions to prevent frost injuries must, of course, 

 be exercised in this case. At this point it is well 

 to emphasize the fact that no matter by what rail- 

 road the flowers are shipped, extra precautions 



