2 



very large percentage of losses, at the same time the demand for 

 seed in distant parts of the world is very considerable and a good 

 many experiments have been tried in the Botanic Gardens in various 

 methods of packing to ensure their arrival in good condition. The 

 reports received from the recipients of these seeds have been 

 remarkably good, as the following records will show : — 



Of 7,500 seeds sent to Jamaica on August 31st,' were received on 

 November 21st, and Mr. FAWCETT writes: "The 7,500 seeds sent 

 in biscuit-tins are all germinating very well and we shall scarcely 

 lose 500 of them." 



One hundred were sent in a similar manner to Calabar on the 

 date July 6th, and arrived on September 20th. 



The Acting Secretary writes in reply : " The seeds were soaked 

 in water for two days on their arrival and were then planted with 

 the upper portion left above the soil. Ninety out of the hundred 

 seeds have already germinated (Nov. 7th,) and appear healthy 

 young plants. 



To the Royal Gardens, Kew; 135 seeds were sent on July 6th, 

 packed in charcoal, in a biscuit-tin. They arrived in a month, and 

 123 germinated. 



In February 12th, 1903; 20 seeds were sent to Mr. J. C. HARVEY, 

 Vera Cruz, Mexico, who writes, May 19th, 1903, that "out of the 

 20 seeds of Hevea braziliensis I have 14 young plants. They came 

 up in a few days, and possibly a few more may germinate, though 

 three seeds were decayed." 



These were all sent in biscuit-tins. Those sent to Jamaica were 

 packed in slightly damped incinerator earth, but it was necessary 

 to replace the upper part of the packing w r ith sawdust to reduce the 

 weight, as incinerator earth is very heavy and the box, a two-pound 

 tin, which contained 150 seeds, would have been over parcel post 

 weight. 



The other tins were filled with damp charcoal finely powdered. 

 In packing, a certain amount of care is required in damping the 

 charcoal so as to get it equally moistened, all through and not either 

 over wet or over dry. This is best done by damping the charcoal 

 thoroughly and then drying it in the sun constantly stirring and 

 turning it over, till it is uniformly slightly damp. 



The incinerator earth which had been exposed to the elements 

 was damp when received and only wanted partial drying to fit it 

 for packing. Its weight is against its use, but both it and the pow- 

 dered charcoal have the great advantage of preventing any attacks 

 of mould or bacteria likely to cause decomposition. 



Other experiments with powdered coir fibre, and coir dust, saw 

 dust and variously prepared soils have been tried but the results do 

 not seem to have ever been as successful. One experiment was 

 made in putting the seeds in water for a month, but though that 

 might be effective for a fortnight or so, they had all perished by the 

 end of the month.— H. N. R. 



