122 THE BOOK OF MARKET GARDENING 



in large trays or shallow boxes, as they can be rendered 

 firmer for their journey, and are more readily placed in 

 or removed from the vans. Straw, wood-shavings, or 

 any similar material that may be available can be used 

 for making the pots safe and firm in the trays. 



The more valuable fine foliage plants, like Palms, 

 Dracaenas, Ferns and Crotons, usually pay for attention 

 in tying up the leaves with matting and perhaps cover- 

 ing them with paper at the same time. The plants 

 require less space, and the leaves or branches are pro- 

 tected from injury. The larger and choicer flowering 

 plants in pots are worthy of similar care, especially when 

 they have to be sent by rail or a long distance by road. 

 Before packing plants in pots it must be seen that they 

 are thoroughly watered, well in advance of the time 

 they are required, so that superfluous water will have 

 drained away, but leaving the soil moist. It is a great 

 mistake to send pot plants to market in a dry state. 



Where shrubs and trees, including hardy fruits, form 

 a portion of the stock the best method of conveying 

 them is in strong shallow wide baskets furnished with 

 handles at the sides. The depth and width will be 

 regulated by the size of the plants and their roots, also 

 by convenience in removal, though, as deciduous trees 

 or shrubs are packed without soil in the autumn and 

 winter months, the weight is not a serious consideration 

 as a rule. The roots are placed closely together with 

 straw for protection from frost, and the whole is 

 covered with mats ; when the trees are large it is 

 necessary to place sticks in the sides of the baskets, 

 which are tied together at the tops to form a kind of 

 cone over the plants, the branches of which have been 

 previously drawn in to the main stems and secured by 

 string. Mats are then sown round the sticks, and the 

 package is complete. Sometimes a strong central stake 

 is required to ensure the necessary rigidity ; or, when 



