256 PACKING CUTTINGS. 



up the country, it was determined to repeat the experiment in November ; 

 when cuttings are in a fit state to travel, and the temperature is lower 

 than at any other time of the year, if we consider the time of their 

 departure from this country, and that of their arrival in India. Some 

 modification was made in the mode of packing. Instead of the ends 

 being dipped in seaMng-wax, the whole cutting was coated with bees- 

 wax, then wrapped in cotton, and afterwards enveloped in India-rubber 

 cloth. The packets were made up at the India House on the 30th of 

 October, and must have left Palmouth on the 1st of November. From 

 Bombay, which the mail usually reaches in about forty days, the 

 cuttings had to be carried a land journey of about 1320 miles, to the 

 Botanic Grarden at Calcutta, which they reached on the 30th of 

 December. A letter from Mr. Gfriffith states that three out of five 

 Apple-cuttings seemed quite fresh. This experiment was made rather 

 for the purpose of ascertaining how the mode of packing would answer, 

 than with the hope of the cuttings succeeding completely. ■ By the 

 same mail cuttings were sent to the Botanic Garden at Sahaninpore ; 

 where they arrived on the 28th of December. Dr. Jameson, on the 

 20th of January, made the following report of the state they arrived 

 in: 1. Duohesse d'Angoul^me, one specimen alive, the other dead, 

 probably owing to the lateral twigs having been cut off and not sealed 

 up. 2. Golden Pippin, with faint vitality, the pith discoloured, and the 

 liber faintly green. 3. Glout Moroeau, one dead, owing to the lateral 

 branches having been cut off and not sealed ; two alive, being devoid 

 of them. 4. Male di Carlo, in fine condition. 5. Gansel's Bergamot, 

 upper end faint vitality ; two specimens dead, the lateral twigs having 

 been cut off and not sealed ; three specimens in good condition. 6. 

 Colmar, faint vitality upper end. 7. Jargonelle, eight specimens, all 

 in good condition. From the above statement it will be seen that this 

 transmission may be considered successful, and if cuttings void of 

 lateral branches are sent, every one would probably have arrived in 

 good condition. 



Much of the success of these operations evidently depends 

 upon the condition of the cuttings when ihey are packed up. 

 If they are soft or unripe, no precaution will secure their 

 safe arrival ; if perfectly ripe, with their tissues consolidated, 

 they will probably endure the journey. Mr. Beaton, a 

 skilful practical gardener, has proposed the following method 

 of preparing fruit-tree cuttings for long voyages. In the 

 month of August, cut off the tips of a branch half-way 

 between two buds or joints, and the force of the ascending 

 sap wUl nearly heal over the wound in two months. Now, if 

 you ring the shoot where you intend it to be cut off, you will 



