2D array by POST

I need to send a 2-dimensional array from one file to another by POST.
The array is $item[][] with contents that are entirelyintegers.

I have tried :
 Print "<INPUT TYPE=hidden NAME=item[] VALUE=$item>"; 
with
$item = stripslashes($_POST['item']);
but it does not work. 

 Any suggestions?

-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
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www.poppyrecords.co.uk