642 STORING OF SEEDS 



are best not tied in bunches, except in the case of small flowers, as 

 violets. A tin box, rather shallow, or, if deep, provided with 

 movable trays, is the best receptacle for sending flowers long dis- 

 tances either by rail or post, but a card- board box may answer if 

 strong enough. 



SENDING SPECIMENS BY POST OR RAIL 



Parcels should always contain the name of the sender. It is 

 important that specimens of plants or fungi for identification, 

 plants attacked by disease, economic products, etc., should arrive 

 in as fresh a condition. as possible. They should be packed in a 

 closely-fitting tin or wooden box, without air holes, both to keep 

 them fresh and to prevent the escape of dangerous insects or 

 fungus spores. Plants for simple identification may be packed 

 flat. Ample material should be sent to allow of full examination, 

 and when flowers or fruit are available these should accompany 

 the specimen. In most cases it is impossible to determine the 

 identity of a specimen with certainty unless accompanied by 

 flowers or fruit. Full notes of the locality from which the specimen 

 comes, with elevation, should be given. 



DESPATCHING INSECT PESTS, ETC. 



Small insects may be enclosed and despatched in empty 

 match boxes, if on short journeys only. A few pieces of crumpled 

 soft paper should be included in the box to prevent damage by 

 shaking during transit. Larger insects, or such as are likely to 

 eat their way through a match box, should be packed either in 

 tin or wooden boxes. Loose pieces of wood or earth should not 

 be put in a box with insects, as, by rattling about during transport, 

 they would be liable to injure the specimens. It is unnecessary 

 to punch holes in the box for ventilation. The address and 

 postage stamp should be on a separate label to be attached to the 

 box or package, and the sender's name should always be written 

 on the label. 



STORING OF SEEDS 



Except for convenience, it is perhaps never advisable to keep 

 seeds for a long time,* as most, if not all, seeds germinate best 

 when fresh, provided they are perfectly matured. All seeds may 

 be divided into dryable and non-dryable classes. To the latter 

 belong a large proportion of seeds of tropical species, and these 



Seeds of Ceara Rubber are often kept for about two years before sowing, as they are 

 considered to germinate best at about that age. 



