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Directions for Captains of Ships, Sea Surgeons, and other 
curious Perfons, who collect Seeds and Plants in diftant 
Countries, in what Manner to preferve them lit for 
Vegetation. 
I T might be reafbnably fuppofed, from the great quantity and 
variety of feeds which we yearly receive from China, that we 
fhould foon be in poffeffion of the mod: valuable plants of that 
vafl empire; yet it is certain, that fcarce one in fifty ever comes 
to any thing, except a few varieties of annual plants, which have 
been common in our gardens for many years. The intention of 
thofe who purchafe or collect thefe feeds is, without doubt, to 
oblige the curious in thele kingdoms, by procuring what they 
luppofe may prove both ornamental and ufeful: but how contrary 
to their intentions do their friends find it, who, being under great 
obligations for this expenfive prefent, have the mortification to be 
totally difappointed in their expectations ! Thefe remarks are 
therefore intended to prevent, if poffible, the like difappointments 
for the future. 
The crafty Chinefe traders, perceiving that many of the Euro- 
peans who buy thefe feeds are very little acquainted with the nature 
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