4 Department Circular 323, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



material should be spread on the bottom of the box. Scatter the 

 nuts evenly over the surface of the material, allowing an inch or 

 more around the edges for packing purposes. Then add another 

 layer of packing material, shaking the box slightly to settle the seeds 

 and packing material in place. Proceed in this way until the box is 

 full, making sure that there is a good layer of packing material 

 on top. When the boxes are packed, tie firmly and wrap in 

 paraffined paper, then strong wrapping paper, and finally cover with 

 cotton cloth, sewing the cloth on. Cotton bags are used for this pur- 

 pose, doubling over the ends and sewing firmly. Label as directed for 

 dry seeds. The need of sewing on the covers is emphasized, rather 

 than depending on wrapping and tying with string. Packages tliat 

 have been tiecl usually reach the department in bad shape. The, 

 addressed label should be sewed on the package. 



PACKING FRUIT-TREE AND RELATED SEEDS 



Fruit-tree seeds, including pear, apple, cherry, peach, persimmon, 

 and many kinds of hard pahn seeds, are likely to dry out unless care- 

 fully packed. Charcoal is one of the best materials for packing such 

 seeds. If the charcoal is dry and dusty, add a very little water or 

 steam it for half an hour over a bucket of boiling water. See that 

 the charcoal is not too fine. It should be granular, not powdery. 

 These seeds should be labeled as required for dry seeds, such as beans 

 and peas. They may be packed in boxes, either tin or wooden, 

 alwaj's with sufficient charcoal to keep the seeds well separated. 

 It is a safe procedure to add about twice as much charcoal by bulk 

 as seed — that is, if packing 1 j^int of seeds, at least 2 pints of char- 

 coal should be used. The smaller seeds may be mixed thoroughly 

 with charcoal before packing. Certain of these seeds, like the 

 peach, cherry, and plum, may be shipped dry in bags or boxes with- 

 out charcoal or other packing. If desired, strong cloth bags may be 

 used for such seeds. If the bags are small and they are going for- 

 ward by sample or parcel post, they should be firmly tied, and after 

 wrapping first in newspaper they should be wrapped in one or two 

 thicknesses of good oiled paper. If the unit bags are quite small, 

 they may be brought together and made into larger packages Avith 

 the cotton covering sewed on, as described for other seeds. (See 

 illustration of improper packing, PL II.) 



TROPICAL SEEDS 



Tropical seeds are among the most difficult seeds to ship long 

 distances. This is particularly true of the lychee, longan, cacao, 

 mangosteen, mango, and seeds of many palms. The avocado is not 

 so difficult to ship. This seed, being large and almost woody, ships 

 comparatively easily. One of the best methods of making certain 

 the safe transportation of lychee and longan seeds is to ship the 

 fruits containing the seeds. The fruits, if properly packed, will 

 stand four or five weeks' travel. They carry best in fine, dry. sifted 

 sphagnum moss, sifted coconut fiber, or coir, to which has been added 

 a little coarse charcoal. It is not necessary that any of this ma- 

 terial be wet or even damp. There is enough moisture in the fruit to 

 serve all practical purposes for successful transportation. Allow 



