8 
Fruit spread out in direct sunlight quickly changes to litchi "nuts," 
but if closely packed in a closed room remains moist a fairly long 
time. 
In refrigeration the fruits retain their freshness much longer, and 
the seeds appear uninjured, although no data are at hand relating 
to the germinating power of litchi seeds from fruits kept at low tem- 
peratures for periods longer than two weeks. From the fact that 
seeds of fruits stored for two weeks at about 38° F. gave perfect ger- 
mination, it would appear that seeds may be kept for a considerable 
period by this method without injury. No tests of refrigeration as a 
means of preserving seeds separated from the fruit have been made 
in Hawaii. 
Keeping the fruits in distilled water for two or three weeks did not 
appear to injure the seeds seriously, and this method may be used 
to preserve the seed where refrigeration is not available. 
Moist sphagnum moss appears to be one of the best media for the 
preservation of the seeds in transit. In experiments at his station 
the moss was first saturated with water and then wrung by hand 
in a piece of burlap until as dry as possible. So treated it contained 
water equal to 212 per cent of its own weight when air dried. A 
layer of this moist moss about an inch thick was spread upon a sheet 
of heavy waxed paper, the seeds distributed at regular intervals upon 
it and covered with another layer of moss of equal thickness. The 
package was then rolled, wrapped with a layer of crimped straw- 
board or corrugated paper to prevent breaking the waxed paper, and 
finally covered with a heavy manilla wrapper. Thus packed, seeds 
were shipped by mail to Florida, many packages being sent in 
this manner and all reported as arriving in excellent condition. 
Similar packages were held at the station for periods varying 
from two to eight weeks. After being kept as long as eight weeks 
in this moist medium the seeds had germinated and produced 
sprouts so large as to require extreme care in handling to avoid 
injury. However, a large majority of the plantlets could be saved 
even after so long a period, which, it will be observed, is sufficient 
for mail shipment to almost any part of the Tropics. It is probable 
that less moisture than was used in the moss in the experiments 
would prevent the drying out of the seeds and would retard germina- 
tion. A mixture of finely cut sphagnum and powdered charcoal 
slightly but uniformly moistened and placed in a tin tube serves the 
same purpose. 
Sowing. — From the foregoing facts it is apparent that the seeds 
ought to be sown at the earliest possible moment after they are 
removed from the fresh fruits, necessary delays even of one day 
requiring special precautions to prevent deterioration. They should 
be sown in pots sunk in well-drained soil. If small pots are used, 
