PRESERVATION OF PLANTS AT SEA. »^5 



You will receive from me soon a corrected copy of all my 

 former experiments on indigo, with explanatory drawings. 

 On ray departure from England, I left with you some papers 

 on various subjects, they may contain some matters deserv- 

 ing notice, when you have leisure to arrange them, as I left 

 them in a rough, unconnected state, having not had time to 

 put them in order. 



I mentioned to you in England, that I had frequently Seeds pre- 

 sent the seeds of vegetables from the East Indies to London, """Y-^ ^" S'^ia 



1 • 1 M f 1 • arable. 



enveloped in thick mucilage of gum arabic, which was then 



suffered to dry with the seeds incorporated therewith ; in 

 this mode the vegetative power of the seeds is well preserved, 

 it being necessary only when they are to be sown, that the 

 mixture of gum and seeds should be put into water, which 

 will redissolve the mucilage, and leave the seeds in a state 

 ready to be put into the earth. 



In consequence of the difficulty which subsists in the 

 carriage of plants from England to the East Indies, I have 

 enclosed some directions for preventing the accidents, 

 Tvhich have hitherto occasioned great losses in their convey- 

 ance. 



1 am, my dear Sir, 



Yours very sincerely, 



W. ROXBURGH. 



Directions Jbr taking care of groicing Plants at Sea. 



Particular care, if not placed in a cabin, must be taken, Directions for 

 that they are kept covered during stormy weather, or such taking care of 

 as raises the least saline spray into the air ; for the chief ^["^g^^"^ p aa s 

 jdanger plants are liable to at sea is occasioned by the saline 

 particles, with which the air is then charged : these, falling on 

 the plants, quickly evaporate, but leave the deadly salt be- 

 hind; eyery care must therefore be taken, to guard against 

 salt water and the spray at sea. During moderate weather, 

 it will be proper to keep the boxes open, for plants cannot 

 long exist without air and light, also during- moderate rain, 

 which is much better for plants than water from the cask, 



but 



