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.