Packing and Shipping Field-Grown Plants 



Some carnation growers who receive plants shipped from a distance 

 \vill allow them to lie in the cases, unpacked, for a considerable length of 

 time ; they will also let the plants lie around, and become somewhat with- 

 ered and dried out. Of course, stock treated in this way will not do well, 

 and frequently the grower receiving it will lose a large proportion ; and, 

 having met with such losses, will lay the blame upon the shipper of the 

 plants, instead of ascribing it to the real cause, which is improper treat- 

 ment upon receipt and planting. There are also shippers of plants who 

 will dig them from the field in a rough manner, and slash them about, 

 breaking off many of the branches ; pack them roughly into any sort of a 

 case, and expect the purchaser to receive them without a murmur. 



Growers who are obliged to purchase plants from the field in the 

 fall, in order to fill their needs, should buy them as near at hand as pos- 

 sible; but in case it be necessary to obtain them from a distant source, be 

 sure to purchase from a grower who is in the habit of packing and shipping 

 his plants in the best possible condition ; then supplement this by properly 

 caring for the plants upon arrival, unpacking them in due season, and treat- 

 ing them in a proper manner during the planting time, as well as after. 

 I have known of large consignments of plants, shipped a thousand miles 

 or more, which have arrived in excellent condition, and have given a 

 splendid crop of flowers ; but the chances one takes in shipping field- 

 grown carnation plants such long distances are great, and I doubt very 

 much the desirability of procuring supplies from far distant points, pro- 

 vided good stock of the varieties wished can be secured nearer home. 



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