343 METHOD OF PACKING PLANTS FOR EXPORTATION. 



improved by a more certain mode of exporting the nume- 

 rous fruits with which our nurseries exclusively abound. 

 The sphagnum I had, some time ago, an opportunity of viewing a large 

 serves\^!amsin ^^^P °^ "''^^^ ^''T'^^^^"'"^''* p«/«5^/'e, Liiui.) which had been 

 a vegetating collected for decorating a grotto. 1 observed, that, al- 

 thougl} it had lain exposed for several months in the heat of 

 summer, yet, with the exception of the very outside of the 

 heap, its particles appeared in the same state as when first 

 collected, and that a gentle state of vegetation was still go- 

 ing on. I moreover observed, that several species of heathSj 

 grasses, and plants, that had been by chance collected in 

 the heap, were preserved, and in several instances had the 

 same appearances as when growing; others were a little 

 blanched for want of light; but even these were alive, and 

 Experiments on capable of growing by proper management. These circum- 

 stances led me to make some experiments to ascertain how 

 long trees of different kinds might be preserved in this sub- 

 stance, when excluded from the external air; and I so far- 

 succeeded, as to keep them for six months, part of which time 

 had been extreme hot weather, and I had afterward the 

 pleasure of getting them to grow in my garden equal to any, 

 that had been transplanted the same season. 

 Other mos?es j^g j Jiave endeavoured to discover what property this 

 do not answer ^. , i ^ -li. \i. 



the same particular moss posbesses, when compared with others gene- 



purpose, rally used for packing plants, I shall remark, that, as its 



name im[)iies, it is in a great measure an aquatic, and con- 

 sequently not liable to injury from moisture, which it has 

 the power of retaining in a wonderful degree, while all the 

 species of hynnuni cannot be prevented from rotting, un- 

 less they are kept perfectly dry ; and although the mosses 

 in general, when moistened with water, are useful to wrap 

 round the roots of trees when packed up, yet they gradually 

 undergo a decomposition ; and consequently, if plants were 

 completely enveloped therein, they would decay in time 

 from the same cause, which I have proved in many in- 

 stances. 



I was therefore led to ascribe the advantages, which the 

 sphagnum palustre possesses, to its property of holding wa- 

 ter, and resisting fermentation ; and I am confirmed in this 

 opinion, by a letter, whiclil have received from my worthy 

 • friend 



