46 

 RENOVATION OF OLD OEANGE TEEES. 



BY J. EANSLEY TANTON, E.E.H.S., EPSOM NUESEBIES. 



^IMES have sadly changed in the estimation in which the 

 orange is held by cultivators. The attention at one 

 time bestowed upon this noble fruit appears to have 

 given place to general neglect, so that it is but seldom 

 we see old trees that have become identified with the 

 family history presenting the healthy and fruitful appearance which 

 they should, both in justice to the trees and to their owners. 



I could enumerate a long list of places, including those of many 

 noble owners, where these fine fruits were once regarded with great 

 interest and veneration, richly clothed with ample, luxuriant, and 

 healthy foliage, supporting a vigorous crop of golden fruit ; but now 

 we find, instead, tall, gaunt, bony, leafless trees, presenting the appear- 

 ance of that devastating disease, consumption, which appears indi- 

 genous to the vegetable as well as the animal kingdom. But even 

 now these rare old specimens can be rendered healthy, and restored 

 to their prestige of beauty. When trees begin to lose their foliage 

 or lungs, it is a certain sign that the constitution is impaired and 

 affected ; the seat of disease may in the majority of cases be traced 

 to the roots, which have either ceased to act their allotted part, or 

 become incapable of parting with the water imbibed, and thus 

 powerless of fixing the carbon among the tissue. Tbis is the result 

 of superfluous watering and imperfect drainage. The leaves eventually 

 lose their power of union, and drop off; the respiration of the plant 

 still goes on, especially under solar light and warmth, and this at 

 the expense of the constitution ; thus the bark of the young wood 

 is drained of its chemical components, and begins to shrivel. At 

 this stage water should be entirely suspended, the plant kept cool 

 and dry until the commencement of February, when the trees 

 should be shaken out of their pots or tubs, and be headed back to the 

 firm hard wood ; the roots that remain should be carefully washed 

 clean in a tub of tepid water, and repotted in as small a pot as it 

 is convenient to cram them, taking care to thoroughly drain the pot ? 

 and using peat, loam, and sand in about equal proportions, potting 

 firmly, and plunging the pot up to the rim in a gentle bottom-heat 

 of about (J0°, with the atmosphere close and cool. In the course of 

 a few weeks, the incipient buds situated upon every part of the stem 

 will break into growth, which should be encouraged by giving air 

 before midday, and shutting up soon after, syringing the plant, and 

 wetting every part of the bark with water raised to the temperature 

 of 80°. As soon as the growths are completed, air should be ad- 

 mitted copiously ; and as soon as the wood commences to ripen, the 

 plants should be lifted from the plunging-bed, and stood in a light 

 airy house, during the remainder of the autumn and winter. Upon 

 the return of February, prepare some good compost, consisting of 

 peat, loam, rotten horse-dung, bones crushed fine, and silver-sand ; 

 well incorporate these together, and give the plant a liberal shift into 



