3 o 737 - 
in a State jit for Vegetation . 125 
sorbent paper, and send some of them surrounded by rai- 
sins, and others by brown moist sugar; concluding that 
the former seeds had been preserved by a peculiarly fa- 
vourable state of moisture thus afforded to them. It oc- 
curred, likewise, that as many of our common seeds, such 
as clover, charlock, &c. would lie dormant for ages with- 
in the earth, well preserved for vegetation whenever they 
might happen to be thrown to the surface, and exposed 
to the atmosphere, so these foreign seeds might be equal- 
ly preserved, for many months at least , by the kindly co- 
vering anti genial moisture that either raisins or sugar 
afforded them: and this conjecture was really fulfilled, 
as not one in twenty of them failed to vegetate ; when 
those of the same kinds , that I ordered to be sent lapped 
in common parcels, and forwarded with them, would not 
grow at all. I observed, upon examining them all before 
they were committed to the earth, that there was a pre- 
vailing dryness in the latter, and that the former looked 
fresh and healthy, and were not in the least infested by 
insects, as was the case with the others. It has been 
tried repeatedly to convey seeds (of many plants difficult 
to raise) closed up in bottles, but without success ; some 
greater proportion of air, as well as a proper state of 
moisture, perhaps, being necessary. I should also ob- 
serve, for the satisfaction of the Society, that no differ- 
ence was made in the package of the seeds, respecting 
their being kept in husks, pods, &c. so as to give those 
in raisins or sugar any advantage over the others , all be- 
ing sent equally guarded by their natural teguments. 
Whether any experiments of this nature have been made 
by others, I am totally ignorant ; but I think that, should 
this mode of conveyance be pursued still more satisfacto- 
rily than I have done, very considerable advantages might 
result from it. 
