2 
very large percentage of losses, at the same time the demand for 
seed in distant parts of the world is very considerable and a good 
many experiments have been tried in the Botanic Gardens in various 
methods of packing to ensure their arrival in good condition. The 
reports received from the recipienfs of these seeds have been 
remarkably good, as the following records will show : — ■ 
Of 7,500 seeds sent to Jamaica on August 31st, were received on 
November 21st, and Mr. Fawcett writes: “The 7,500 seeds sent 
in biscuit-tins are all germinating very well and we shall scarcely 
lose 500 of them.” 
One hundred were sent in a similar manner to Calabar on the 
date July 6th, and arrived on September 20th. 
The Acting Secretary writes in reply : “ The seeds were soaked 
in water for- two days on their arrival and were then planted with 
the upper portion left above the soil. Ninety out of the hundred 
seeds have already germinated (Nov. 7th,) and appear healthy 
young plants. 
To the Royal Gardens, Kew; 135 seeds were sent on July 6th, 
packed in charcoal, in a biscuit-tin. They arrived in a month, and 
123 germinated. 
In February 12th, 1903; 20 seeds were sent to Mr. J. C. HARVEY, 
Vera Cruz, Mexico, who writes, May 19th, 1903, that “out of the 
20 seeds of Hevea braziliensis I have 14 young plants. They came 
up in a few days, and possibly a few more may germinate, though 
three seeds were decayed.” 
These were all sent in biscuit-tins. Those sent to Jamaica were 
packed in slightly damped incinerator earth, but it was necessary 
to replace the upper part of the packing with sawdust to reduce the 
weight, a c incinerator earth is very heavy and the box, a two-pound 
tin, which contained 150 seeds, would have been over parcel post 
weight. 
The other tins were filled with damp charcoal finely powdered. 
In packing, a certain amount of care is required in damping the 
charcoal so as to get it equally moistened, all through and not either 
over wet or over dry. This is best done by damping the charcoal 
thoroughly and then drying it in the sun constantly stirring and 
turning it over, till it is uniformly slightly damp. 
The incinerator earth which had been exposed to the elements 
was damp when received and only wanted partial drying to fit it 
for packing. Its weight is against its use, but both it and the pow- 
dered charcoal have the great advantage of preventing any attacks 
of mould or bacteria likely to cause decomposition. 
Other experiments with powdered coir fibre, and coir dust, saw 
dust and variously prepared soils have been tried but the results do 
not seem to have ever been as successful. One experiment was 
made in putting the seeds in water for a month, but though that 
might be effective for a fortnight or so, they had all perished by the 
end of the month. — H. N. R. 
