90 
PRESERVATION OF PLANTS, ETC. ON A SEA VOYAGE, 
The chests in which plants are sent from the Botanic Garden, Calcutta, to 
Europe, or other distant parts of the world, are made of strong materials, and fitted 
out in such a manner, with moveable railed frames and covers, as to admit of their 
being easily sheltered from the access of sea water, wind, and rain. Besides a 
number of plants placed in them, and fastened to their sides, the earth is generally 
mixed with a considerable portion of seeds, calculated to germinate successively 
during the progress of the voyage, and thus to enhance the value of these collections. 
The chance, however, of their arriving safely at their destination, rests almost 
entirely on the commander of the ship in which they are proceeding, and on the 
person who is so good as to undertake the immediate charge of them on the voyage, 
directing their kind solicitude towards protecting the plants from the least contact 
with salt water, from injury being done by vermin, poultry, &c., and from the 
habit which idle people sometimes indulge in, of breaking or pulling off the leaves, 
branches, or flowers. Where such a favourable disposition exists, a strict attention 
to the following rules will ensure a complete success, and the greatest proportion of 
the plants will arrive at their destination in a thriving and vigorous condition. 
1. It is proper to keep the chests uncovered the greatest part of the day in fair 
and moderate weather, particularly during gentle rains ; or if these should be 
heavy, or of long continuance, until the plants have been sufficiently refreshed. In 
very hot weather, their lids must be alternately shut up. It is extremely important ; 
that the chests should remain open at night also ; and this rule ought always to be 
attended to in fair weather, provided that the plants are not thereby exposed to the i 
attacks of rats and mice, &c. j 
2. It is obvious that the plants require to be watered frequently, but at the 1 
same time it must be observed, that too much moisture would do as much harm as 
too little would : the safest plan is this, — to give them water only when it is found 
that they stand in need of it, and the best time for doing so is in the evening. 
The quantity of water must, in a great measure, be regulated by the state of the 
weather, though not exclusively. They want much less in a cold than in a hot 
climate. If care is taken to keep the chests shut up during the hottest part of the 
day, less water will be requisite than otherwise. Whenever the leaves and 
branches look drooping and relaxed, especially towards the evening (for in hot 
climates they will generally appear in that state in the middle of the day), and 
the earth appears dry, it is a sign a little water is necessary ; and the best mode of 
applying it is, to pour or sprinkle it over them in such a manner that the branches 
and leaves, as well as the earth, may become gently moistened. It ought to be a 
general rule, never to let the plants get water oftener than once a day, and not to 
give any at all if the earth appears quite wet. 
