METHODS OF PACKING 123 



trees 8 to 10 feet high are being packed, the basket is 

 dispensed with, the roots are packed with straw and 

 covered with mats, which may be taken up the stems, 

 and perhaps over the heads, if they are small enough 

 to allow of its being done conveniently. 



Roots of herbaceous or other hardy plants are packed 

 in hampers or shallow boxes, every effort being made 

 to reduce the weight as far as is consistent with the 

 safety of the plants. Where the soil is inclined to be 

 heavy and adhesive, such plants should never be lifted 

 when that is in a wet state, if it is by any means 

 avoidable. Large numbers of hardy plants are now 

 kept in pots for the express purpose of ensuring ready 

 packing at any time. Most bulbous plants are lifted and 

 stored when growth is completed, so no special difficulty 

 attaches to their being properly packed as required. 



It is seldom that market gardeners are called upon to 

 transmit plants, roots, bulbs, or seeds to foreign countries, 

 but occasionally the demand may arise in special cases. 

 The regulations concerning the importation of plants to 

 the particular countries must be first ascertained, as these 

 are very stringent in some of the colonies and foreign 

 states. This is especially so with regard to vines and 

 fruit trees, and applies to cuttings, buds, or scions for 

 grafting, as well as to rooted plants. Forms have to be 

 obtained, and a declaration made respecting the value and 

 nature of the contents. 



For the majority of plants of small size Wardian cases 

 are largely employed, some preparation being needed to 

 ensure that there is not an undue amount of moisture 

 present when the cases are closed for their journey. 

 Metal-lined boxes are used for plants in a dormant 

 state, bulbs, or seeds, and for small consignments we 

 have tried ordinary biscuit tins with the lids soldered on, 

 in which the plants have travelled safely to South Africa 

 and Australia. We have also received scions of fruit 



