On managing Plants during their Voyage from China. 397 



mould should be covered with moss, to prevent its being 

 shaken out of its place, and likewise to keep it moist. After 

 this it should be crossed with laths, nailed tightly down. 



The best situation for plants on board ship is where they 

 get plenty of sun and light, the poop being the best of all, as it 

 is the least shaded by sails, &c. If it should be found that the 

 plants are receiving too much sun, it is easy to shade them by 

 closing one shutter, or by using the tarpauling as a shade. 

 Exposure to the sun is however indispensable, in order that 

 the wood as it grows may become hard, and endure the 

 vicissitude of climate the better. To mature a plant for a 

 change of latitude and climate is of the greatest importance 

 in point of success. In securing the plants at night, who- 

 ever has the care of them should effect this by shutting 

 the glazed sides and unrolling the tarpauling as late in the 

 evening as possible. In a hot climate, opening the boxes 

 again as early in the morning as possible, is also requisite. 



Watering the plants should be done sparingly, so long as 

 they are seen not to droop and remain in good health ; they 

 do best when not much watered; with much water they 

 grow too luxuriantly, which is a disadvantage with reference 

 to the changes they may have to undergo. This is the 

 great point which ought to be borne in mind in transferring 

 plants from a tropical to a colder latitude, which will destroy 

 them if not properly prepared for it. 



Before I went to China, I had formed an opinion that some 

 plants which it has at present been found impossible to bring 

 alive to England, might be safely transported in the form 

 of cuttings under bell glasses ; such, for example, as the 

 Double Red and Single Striped Azalea Indica. In this opinion 



