Exotic, an appellation given to plants, which are not natives of Britain.

The generality of exotic plants do not thrive in this country, without particular care and culture; they require the warmth of their own climates : hence hot-beds, green-houses, etc. become neces-sary. - See Green -house, and Stove.

The best method of packing exotic plants for a voyage, especially if they be such as will perish above ground, is to set their roots as closely as possible in wooden boxes, filled with proper soil, and provided with handles : this operation may be performed three weeks before they are shipped, During fair'-weather, they should be exposed upon the deck, but in wet or unfavourable seasons, they ought to be removed, or covered with a tarpawlin.

If exotics are conveyed to acolder climate, they require very little moisture; but, if they are sent from a cold to a warmer country, it will be necessary to water them liberally; and, if they be sheltered from the scorching rays of the sun, they will safely arrive at the place of their destination.

There are, however, several plants that will live for a considerable time without earth, such as the Eschallot (to which we refer), and other succulent exotics. These vegetables require only to

be carefully packed in boxes, with some moss: a little hay should likewise be added, to prevent the different roots from rubbing against, or bruising each other; the boxes should also be perforated with holes, an expedient by which the plants will be preserved from heating, and consequent putrefaction. With these precautions, they will not be materially injured by a voyage of two or three, or even four or five months. Several trees will likewise arrive in safety, if packed up in this manner, after they have ceased to grow; such as oranges, olives, capers, and pomegranate-trees, of which great numbers are annually imported from Italy; and, though they are generally three or four months in their passage, yet they seldom receive any damage.