PACKING. There are few large gardens from which more or less of the produce has not to be sent on a journey, at least, during some part of the year; and the practice of sending small boxes of flowers or fruit has now become common amongst persons with but limited means at command. On the system of Packing adopted, the condition in which consignments reach their destination very materially depends, be they composed of plants, flowers, or fruits; consequently, it is important that due precaution should always be taken to prevent the contents of packages being rendered useless in transit, because of their being improperly or insecurely packed. The system of Packing will depend very much on the length of journey to which the articles have to be subjected, the sort of article, and the mode of conveyance. References here will only be possible in somewhat general terms; but these may be sufficient, if the principal subjects transmitted are referred to, for providing such rules, or, rather, suggestions, as may be necessary. One important condition that may be said always to apply, is Packing so that the contents cannot move about inside their covering, no matter of what it may consist. Boxes or hampers should be of a size to properly hold what is intended without crushing; but should they, in any case, be rather large, the spare room must be filled with packing material, to prevent friction, and the consequent injury that must ensue. This rule is specially important in reference to ripe or tender-skinned fruits; but it applies with almost equal force to horticultural products of every description. Plants. Packing of plants is much more extensively the work of nurserymen than of private gardeners, as it forms part of their trade. It is essential that consignments reach their destination with as little breakage as possible; consequently, men are, in all large firms, kept purposely for this work. The plans adopted vary with plants of different sorts and sizes, some requiring more protection than others. Round, matted baskets are largely used, as they are conveniently adapted for holding plants of different heights. Each of the latter should be securely staked, and, if necessary, covered with tissue paper, the ball being kept intact by tying some moss from above it to the pot with matting or soft string. Small plants with good roots are usually quite safe, if taken from the pots and tied up in moss, and the package is, in consequence, rendered of less weight. These would, more properly, be placed in boxes, or covered hampers, so that shifting about would be impossible when once the lid was fastened. Another plan is to use paper flower-pots, which are manufactured and sold for the purpose. These are strong, made of different sizes, and are always ready for use. The plant is taken from its ordinary pot, and placed in a paper one of similar dimensions, which is provided with flaps at the top for turning over the ball. In this way, a large number of small plants may be placed in a comparatively small hamper, and the work of Packing proceeds with rapidity. When Packing round or flat-covered hampers, it is advisable to arrange the plants as much as possible with their tops towards the centre, and use sufficient packing material to keep them firm in position, the greater part of the balls of earth being thus situated near the outside. Plants packed in matted baskets are usually stood upright, string being tied in both directions across the top, to keep each pot in its proper position. Living plants are usually sent to, and received from, foreign countries, in Wardian cases. Packing is here, again, an important part of the undertaking, as on it very much of the success frequently depends. The pots, in this case, should be placed as near each other as possible, and the space between them well filled in with fine loam. Afterwards, narrow strips of wood, of a suitable size, should be laid crossways, and securely nailed to ledges on the sides of the case. Large quantities of plants, such as Orchids, Bromeliads, &c., which live a long time without moisture, are successfully imported in strong packing-cases of ordinary make, bound with hoop iron. Flowers. With these, the private gardener has much to do, particularly throughout the summer, as large quantities have to be transmitted frequently, at long distances, to meet the customary demand. With increased facilities for sending small parcels, amateurs and cottagers are also enabled to favour their less fortunate friends with flowers whenever they are sufficiently plentiful. Here, too, the condition in which flowers arrive at their destination, depends very materially on the method of Packing adopted. It is obvious that if flowers, which should travel perfectly well when properly packed, arrive in a useless state, a great waste of material is effected, and disappointment caused, that, with ordinary care, might have been prevented. Flowers that are intended for travelling are invariably all the better for being cut at least a few hours previous to being packed, and placed in water. In summer, nothing should be cut for this purpose when the sun is shining, so as to cause the least sign of flagging. Evening, or, better still, early morning, should be the time chosen. Boxes, sufficiently strong, and proportionate in size to the quantity it is intended to send, should always be used; baskets are not satisfactory, as they allow so much evaporation, and do not prevent the evil influences from outside, either of heat or cold. Different flowers vary considerably in respect of the amount of pressure they will bear. The aim should be, in all cases, to completely fill the space up to the lid, and thus prevent the contents from shaking about. Should the flowers not be sufficient to do this, clean, damp moss may be placed in the bottom, or amongst them; but a box of the proper size is preferable. Cotton wool, so often placed amongst flowers, is not to be recommended, on account of its absorbent nature. Supposing mixed flowers are to be packed together, all the heavier ones should be placed at the bottom, and others carefully arranged above them. A little light fern laid over the top, then a double sheet of tissue paper, will prepare the way for the lid, which will then lightly press everything into its place without injury. Such quickly-injured flowers as Eucharis, Gardenias, &c., where a quantity have to be packed, should be provided with shallow boxes, just deep enough for carrying single specimens. These should be laid nearly close together, and held in position with moss slightly damped, tissue paper being then put over the top, beneath the lid. Some envelop each flower in soft paper separately; but this takes up more space, and, if they travel safely, unpacking cannot be so readily accomplished. Choice bouquets, wreaths, &c., should have special boxes provided for them, in which they can be fixed, so that shifting about is an impossibility. Boxes intended for carrying flowers through the post are best made of stout tin, strong enough to withstand the stamping process, as these are found to preserve their contents fresher than any others. If cardboard boxes are used, they should be provided with a lip, or flap, at the end, to which the stamps should be affixed. Tin boxes, of various sizes, are specially prepared to meet postal requirements, and their general use for flowers is recommended. Careful and close Packing is here specially an essential, as small parcels have to withstand a deal of more or less rough usage before reaching their destination. Fruits. Besides dispatching supplies of fruit, to meet family requirements, large quantities have also to be sent from various places to market, and the condition in which such consignments arrive greatly affects their value. To the system of Packing much relating to success or failure may generally be attributed, although the condition of many fruits, at the time they are packed, must not be overlooked. Such soft-skinned subjects as Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, Strawberries, &c., require most careful handling, and will not travel satisfactorily in an over-ripe state. It becomes necessary, therefore, to gather them for Packing before they are fully ripe. This, unfortunately, detracts from their quality very considerably, but it is unavoidable where the results of a railway journey are to be taken into consideration. With Grapes, it is important that their bloom should be, as much as possible, preserved. With this end in view, the bunches are frequently packed close together, in moderately deep boxes or baskets, with an inside lining, on the bottom and around the sides, of soft, dry moss, covered with tissue paper. If provision can be made for keeping the box or basket upright throughout its journey, there is no need of putting anything beneath the lid. If this cannot be insured, similar paper, and a layer of moss, should be used, as on the sides, for filling the vacant space; but this is almost certain to destroy more or less bloom. The bunches should be close enough together in the space to prevent rubbing or shifting about. Peaches, Nectarines, and Figs, must not be over-ripe, or their skins are sure to get bruised in transit. These fruits should be packed in boxes only deep enough to take one layer. Each fruit should be carefully wrapped in tissue paper, and sometimes it becomes necessary to have a thin band of cotton wool in addition. Figs are best packed in Vine leaves, without paper or cotton wool. Boxes about 3 1/2in. or 4in. deep are most suitable, as these afford space for a layer of dry moss in the bottom, which acts as a bed; and if the fruits do not fill up, a sheet of tissue paper, and a little more moss or cotton wool above it, should be placed beneath the lid. Strawberries are best packed in boxes holding only single layers; 2in. deep is sufficient. A quantity of soft leaves should be gathered with the fruits, or from spare plants, and allowed to wither a little. In proceeding to pack, a leaf should be put round each fruit, which should then be placed in the box, one after the other, until the space is filled. Sufficient leaves are then laid over the top to fill up to the lid. All leaves used must be dry on the surface, otherwise they will injure the fruit. Apricots and Plums may be packed like Peaches, but they are not so delicate, and suffer less readily. Cherries travel well, when not too ripe, by being simply laid close together, in very shallow boxes. When it is necessary to preserve the bloom on Plums, they may be similarly treated.