CHAPTER XXX. 



TRANSPORT OF PLANTS, SEEDS, FLOWERS, 

 SPECIMENS, ETC.; STORING OF SEEDS 



The conveyance of plants or seeds over long journeys, or 

 from one country to another, is a question which not unfrequently 

 confronts one in the tropics, and upon it may depend the beginning 

 or development of a new planting industry. In cases where seeds 

 are not procurable, or are of a particularly perishable nature, 

 recourse must be had to plants to meet requirements. Unquestion- 

 ably the best means so far invented for transmitting plants over 

 long journeys, especially by sea, is in wardian cases, by the aid of 

 which the exchange of live plants between widely separated 

 countries has been greatly facilitated. Thus the introduction of 

 Rubber, Cacao, and other useful plants from the Western to the 

 Eastern tropics, and others vice versa, is due largely to the 

 excellent wardian cases (and equally perfect packing) which for 

 many years past have been sent out from the great emporium, 

 Kew Gardens, London. A wardian case consists of a large box, 

 with two sloping glazed sides which meet at the top to form a 

 ridge, the two ends being carried up like a "V" inverted, thus A 

 The sides are movable, and the glass panes fitted in grooves with 

 putty, being protected on the outside with narrow thin strips of 

 wood, nailed on about an inch apart. A small circular hole, 

 covered by a piece of perforated zinc or other metal, is made in 

 each end near the top for ventilation, and over each of these 

 (inside) is nailed a small box, which is open at the top, so as to 

 catch any sea spray that may get in. Therefore a wardian case 

 when travelling, is nearly airtight, so that very little evaporation 

 or change of air can take place within. The bottom of the case is 

 tilled with soil, in which the plants are packed closely together ; 

 these are held in position by narrow strips of wood placed 

 transversely, which are firmly secured in position by means of a 

 longitudinal strip of wood placed along on both ends of the latter, 

 being nailed to either side of the case inside. Wardian cases may 



