1872 .] 
TRANSMITTING SEEDS AND CUTTINGS. 
129 
the blooming-frame, provided with one row of piping—which is, however, 
only used for keeping out frost and dispelling damp. Here they will finish their 
growth, and may then be removed to the conservatory or any other cool house to 
flower. Mr. Needle finds, from experience, that they thrive best when grown five 
tubers in a 5-in. pot, the tubers (like cuttings) growing much stronger when 
situated near the sides of the pots. The bulbs of the Orchis or fusiform-rooted 
section will not bear drying off; otherwise they may be treated in the same way 
as the Ophrys. For general cultivation Mr. Needle recommends the following :— 
Oplirys tentliredinifera, the 
strongest grower of all. 
O. lutea. 
O. Speculum. 
0. apifera, and its variety 
mutilex. 
O. apiculata. 
O. fusca. 
O. mammosa. 
0. ferrum equinum. 
0. ericolor. 
0. atrata. 
0. arachnites. 
0. aranifera specularia. 
Orchis Morio, and its several 
varieties. 
0. laxiflora. 
0. mascula. 
0. maculata. 
0. papilionacea. 
0. quadripunctata. 
0. longicruris. 
0. tephrosanthos densiflorus. 
Serapias Lingua. 
S. pseudo-cordigei’a. 
Gymnadenia conopsea. 
TRANSMITTING SEEDS AND CUTTINGS. 
G|pHE introduction of certain seeds in a fit state for germination has long been 
wished for by cultivators. I have repeatedly tried to get collectors to send 
f home seeds in strong earthen jars, or bottles firmly packed in soil and 
closely corked, the soil to be taken 6 or 8 inches under the surface, so as 
to contain the natural moisture only. However, few individuals seem inclined 
to give this method a fair trial, being rather disposed to send by the old system, 
viz., in dry paper. As far back as 1834 I introduced in this way acorns of many 
varieties of American Oaks in excellent condition for growing, while portions of 
the same lots of seeds, brought home in paper and in canvas bags, did not succeed. 
Some acorns were also brought home in a box between layers of Sphagnum Moss 
having the superfluous moisture previously wrung out of it. By this method of 
packing the acorns all succeeded well. 
Dr. Little, of Singapore, a gentleman eminently distinguished for his horticul¬ 
tural skill and ardent love for the science of botany, has been very successful in 
introducing into this country many rare plants, such as G-utta Percha (Isonandra 
Gutta ), and many rare and valuable Orchids. Dr. Little seldom misses an oppor¬ 
tunity of sending home seeds peculiar to his district, but it too frequently happens 
that they are completely dried up before reaching this country. During his 
visit to Edinburgh, in the year 1870, I told him of the disappointments so often 
experienced with many of his seeds, and recommended him to try the stone- 
bottle system ; and about the middle of November last I had the pleasure of re¬ 
ceiving a stone jar from him filled with Palm seeds, firmly packed in soil, all 
quite fresh and capable of germination. In districts where sphagnum moss 
abounds, I would recommend it in preference to soil, as it retains the moisture 
for a much longer time, and is not liable to mould or decay. In sphagnum the 
radicles of the seed are often slightly protruding when they reach their destination, 
while the soil, with its natural moisture, keeps the seeds much in the same con- 
