549 



This is further emphasized by the fact that at about the same 

 " time as our own seeds arrived a Water Street firm sent 10,500 para 

 " rubber seeds, packed in six kerosine tins which had travelled in the 

 "ordinary way as merchandise, to be grown for them at the Gardens. 

 "These seeds received the same careful treatment as our own but 

 produced " only 18 plants." 



This is an excellent record for seeds which were in the tins for 

 over 53 days from the time of packing until their arrival in British 

 Guiana and it is very doubtful if the 80% germination has ever been or 

 ever will be beaten for a journey of this length. I have seen many 

 much poorer germinations on estates in the Peninsula where the seeds 

 were actually grown, harvested and sown. 



From this and many similar results obtained by us in packing para 

 rubber seeds we have every confidence in recommending this system 

 of packing to all who wish to send seeds over long distances and obtain 

 the best results. 



Equally satisfactory results have been obtained by using powdered 

 charcoal as a packing material but we find burnt rice husks cheaper 

 and also lighter which is a very important point in favour of its adop- 

 tion when sending seeds by Parcel Post. 



As hundreds of thousands of seeds are now being shipped out of 

 the Peninsula and as particulars of the best system of packing are 

 constantly being asked for, I give the following particulars which may 

 be of some value. 



Tins 12" x 8" x 5" are used. These are made locally and cost 

 about 20 cents each. Each when properly packed holds 600 seeds and 

 is within the Post Office regulation weight of eleven lbs., for this class 

 of parcel. 



In packing the seeds a layer of burnt rice husk in put on the bottom 

 of the tin and then alternate layers of seeds and husk are added until 

 the whole 600 seeds have been packed when the tin will be quite full. 



A lid is put on each tin but is not soldered down as we find that 

 this prevents an excess of moisture collecting inside the tins and the 

 burnt rice husk, is thereby kept at the proper degree of moisture. 



I should have mentioned that the burnt rice husk (or powdered 

 charcoal) should be slightly moistened before packing in order to keep 

 the seeds in a fresh healthy state ; but care should be taken that not too 

 much miosture is added or the seeds are liable to germinate and rot on 

 a long journey. 



The demands from British Possessions and other Colonies in the 

 tropics for para rubber seeds from the trees in the Singapore Botanic 

 Gardens are steadily increasing, 400,000 seeds will be dispatched during 

 the present year and many orders have been refused owing to our in- 

 ability to supply the seeds. 



All our seeds are sent long distances on journeys of not less than 

 one month packed as described above and it is extremely satisfactory to 

 be able to state such results from this method. 



T. W. Main, 

 Botanic Gardens Singapore, 



