Preservation of, in a state fit for vegetation, is a matter of great and general importance, be- caufe, if it be possible to accomplish it, we shall thus be enabled to rear many useful plants in one country which are there unknown, being indigenous only in others at a great distance from it.

A gentleman informs us, that many years ago he observed some seeds which had got accidentally among raisins, being such as are raised in England with difficulty, after being sent from abroad in the usual manner. He sowed them in pots within a framing; and as every one of them grew, he sent orders to his sons, who were at that time abroad, to pack up all kinds of seeds they could procure, in absorbent paper, and send some of them surrounded by raisins, and others by brown moist sugar; concluding, that the preservation of the former seeds had been owing to a peculiarly favourable state of the moisture thus afforded them. He likewise concluded that, as many of our common seeds, such as clover, charlock, &c., would lie dormant for ages within the earth, well preserved for vegetation whenever they were thrown to its surface, and exposed to the influence of the atmosphere, so likewise might these foreign seeds be equally preserved, at least for many months, by the kindly covering and genial moisture afforded them by sugar or raisins. This opinion was fully verified, as not one in twenty of them failed to vegetate, while the same species of seeds sent home in common parcels along with them, did not vegetate at all. Having examined them prior to their being committed to the earth, he observed that there was a prevailing dryness in the latter, while the former looked healthy and fresh, not being in the smallest degree infested by insects, as was the case with the others. It has been repeatedly tried to convey seeds closed up in bottles, but this method has failed of success, a larger proportion of air, as well as a proper state of moisture, perhaps being necessary. It may be requisite to observe, that no difference was made in the package of the seeds, respecting their being kept in husks, pods, &c., so as to give those preserved in raisins or sugar any advantage over the others, the whole being sent equally guarded by their natural teguments*.