BOTANY. 



293 



Plants of peculiar interest, that are destined to be sent 

 from abroad, should be chosen of small stature, in good 

 health, and if practicable, should be inured to a greater 

 variety of temperature^ than in their natural state they are 

 exposed to ; these should be taken up with a ball of earth 

 adhering to their roots, and the ball enveloped in a 

 thick coat of moss which should be tied over with pack- 

 thread, or matting, as represented at fig. 1, Plate 7, they 

 may then be placed in a case in cut moss, this should 

 be packed closely round the balls of earth, and covered over 

 the tops of the roots two or three inches deep ; the surface 

 of the moss should be netted over with stout string or 

 cord ; the case may be placed on the deck of the vessel, in 

 as airy a situation as possible, but where it is not likely to 

 be splashed with the spray of the sea, as this, if it falls on the 

 leaves or stems of the plants, is very injurious, from the 

 salts crystalizing in dry weather, and in damp weather being 

 decomposed by the humidity of the atmosphere : the case 

 should have the two ends open, and covered with wire or 

 strong netting, which as occasion requires may be further 

 sheltered by pieces of boards or canvas ; the lid of the case 

 should be made to shut like that of a commoji box ; which in 

 heavy rains, will prevent the plants from receiving a super- 

 abundance of water, and in dry warm weather, will admit a 

 larger portion of air. As it is not at all times practicable to 

 get cases made in the form above recommended, a cask may 

 easily be converted into a proper form for the conveyance of 

 living plants, as represented at fig. 2, Plate 8. 



In inclement seasons, when opportunity offers for 

 constructing a case peculiarly adapted for the purpose^ 



