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“The following notes addressed to Emanuel Fernandez, plant collector at Malacca, may perhaps be useful as containing instructions for the collection and transmission of plants and seeds.  They are perhaps worthy of insertion on other grounds, as an example of the painstaking, and patient manner in which Mr. Griffith made his wishes known to the persons employed by him in his pursuits.”

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To Emanuel Fernandez.

“I have received the open box of seeds, and the large case of plants, per ’Tenasserim.’  The Ebool seeds were coming up, the dried plants are in good order, and are of very good kinds.

“Before you put in the palms and fruits with other collections, you should see that they are quite dry, as otherwise they rot and injure the dried plants.  When you send up more fruits, etc. put them into open rattan baskets, so that they may be aired.

“I send a list of palms and rotans wanted very much, and two more glazed cases for seeds:  water the earth inside a day before closing the boxes and sending them off to Singapore.  Whenever you get any good seeds, dry them, and put them in a letter, directed to me.  Seeds spoil by being kept, particularly if kept among wet fruits and dried plants.

“If you can get flower-pots in Malacca buy two or three dozen, and whenever you get seeds sow them in a pot, and keep them, until you have enough pots filled to occupy one of the cases, then put mould between the pots, and sow more seeds in this mould, fasten the lid down and send off the box to Singapore.”

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May 30th, 1843.

“The cases of plants, etc. have arrived:  the fresh plants were nearly all dead.

“You planted them very well, and cleverly, but some how or other the lids of the boxes were nailed down, and so the plants died; because plants will not live without light.

“Some of the Ebool seeds have sprouted, one Lanjoot arrived alive, and also the Pakoo Galowe.

“I will send soon two glazed cases, in which you may put plants as before, and seeds of palms, or any good plants:  sow them in the same manner, and three or four days before the cases are despatched water the earth and plants moderately; then screw down the lid, when the plants, if they have rooted in the earth, will not die, because the glass admits light to them.  But to be sure of the plants having rooted, you must keep the cases with you for three weeks, and if any plants are sickly, take them out and put in others.

“I send a list:  when your next despatch arrives, I will increase your pay.  If you send plenty of seeds, etc. often, that is once a month or six weeks, I will keep you in my service even if I do not come back to Malacca.

“I also send a box with a large bottle in it of spirits of wine, this is for monkey cups (Nepenthes).  Take the finest ones you can get of all sorts, and put them in the bottle, leaves and all, do not squeeze them into the bottle, then send it to me.”