[ Mep. No. 564. ] 21 
properly marked, and referred to in the descriptive notes which accom¬ 
pany them. 
• When plants cannot be propagated from seeds, with a certainty of their 
possessing the same qualities which long culture or other causes may have 
given them,'they may be sent in a growing state. For this purpose, they 
should be taken up when young. Those, however, who are acquainted 
with their cultivation in the countries where they grow, will know at what 
age they may be safely and advantageously removed. They may be 
transplanted direct into the boxes in which tney are to be conveyed; or, 
where that cannot be conveniently done, they may be taken up with a 
ball of earth about the roots,'and the roots of each surrounded with wet 
moss, carefully tied about it, to keep the earth moist. They may after¬ 
wards be put mto a box, and each plant secured by laths fastened cross¬ 
wise above the roots, and the interstices between the roots filled with wet 
moss. The same methods may be observed with young grafted or budded 
fruit trees. 
Where the time will permit, it is desirable that the roots of the plants 
be well established in the boxes in which they are transplanted. Her¬ 
baceous plants require only a short time for this; but, for plants of a 
woody texture, two or three months is sometimes necessary. 
Boxes, for the conveyance of plants, or of seeds that are sown, maybe 
made about two feet broad, two feet deep, and four feet long, Avith small 
holes in the bottom, covered Avith a shell or piece of tile, or other similar 
substance, for letting off any superfluous Avater. There should be a layer 
of wmt moss of 'two or three inches deep at the bottom: or, if that cannot 
be had, some very rotten Avood or decayed leaves ; and upon that about 
tAvelve inches depth of fresh loamy earth, into Avhich the plants that are to 
be transplanted should be set. The surface of the earth should be covered 
with a thin layer of moss, cut small, which should be occasionally Avashed 
in fresh water during the voyage, both to keep the-surface moist, and to 
Avash off mouldiness, or any saline particles that may be on it. ‘ 
When the boxes are about to be put on board the ship, hoops of wood 
should be fastened to the sides in such a manner that, arching over the 
box, they may cover the highest of the plants; and over these should be 
stretched a net-work of pitched cord, so as to protect the plants from ex¬ 
ternal injury, and preAmiit the' earth froin being disturbed by mice or other 
vermin. 
To each box should be fastened a canvass cover, made to go entirely 
over it, but so constructed as to be easily put on or off, as may be neces¬ 
sary to protect the plants from the salt Avater, or Avinds, and sometimes 
from the sunshine. Strong handles should be fixed to the boxes, that they 
may be conveniently moved. 
During the voyage the plants should be kept in a light,, airy situation ; 
without Avhich, they Avill perish. They should not be exposed to severe 
winds, nor to cold, nor, for a long time, to too hot a sunshine, nor to the 
spray of the salt water. To prevent injury from the saline particles Avith 
which the air is oftentimes charged at sea, (especially Avhen the waves 
have white frothy curls upon them,) and Avhich, on evaporation, close up 
the pores of the plants and destroy them, it Avill be proper, Avhen they 
have been exposed to them, to wash ofi' the salt particles by sprinkling 
the leaves with fresh water. 
The plants and seeds that are soAvn Avill occasionally require watering 
