(Box 7: Folder 5) 
Instructions for the collection and packing 
of Cactus plants. 
When one collects and sends cacti which grow in the tropical parts of America, it 
becomes necessary to observe carefully certain precautions in order to achieve a 
good result; because these plants often are transported for several months in boxes 
one must be extra careful lest they go bad on the way or are destroyed by 
decomposition. 
It is above all desirable to collect such cacti that are formed approximately in the 
shape of a ball, disc, pear or pillar. On the other hand, those forms that have several 
leaves and form prickly bushes are not worth the cost of transportation. The latter 
are called Oguntia or, in the USA, Western prickly pears; in the tropics Nopales; they 
carry large edible fruits. However, in places where these grow, other types are also 
found. 
When selecting from the types with ball-, disc-, pillar- and pear-shape it is 
appropriate to take such specimens which are not too large, that is, those of 4-5 
inches height or diameter, but they can also be much smaller because the big ones 
are usually too old and do not tolerate transportation well.- One should select the 
most regularly shaped, healthy and undamaged specimens; these are simply pulled 
out of the ground, the soil shaken off the roots, and if at all possible left for some 
days or weeks in a room protected from rain and snow so that they will dry 
somewhat before being packed . In case of the pillar- shaped cacti, which grow to a 
height of 10-20 feet and therefore cannot be packed in their full length, one cuts off 
the tops or heads smoothly to about 1-VA feet and lets the cut ends dry well in the 
sun. A hard skin is then formed on the cut surface and protects the plant. 
01 23456789 10 Missouri 
BOTAN ICAL 
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