ON MYRTLES. 225 



may be the more little roots about it. That this is to be done either 

 spring or fall : that the earth they are planted in, should be two- thirds 

 kitchen-garden soil well sifted, and one-third hot-bed mould. 



Mr. Mortimer says, Myrtles produced from layers are the most 

 hardy ; and those from seeds most tender : But neither he, nor Mr. 

 Bradley, nor Mons. Liger gives directions for.multiplying them by 

 seed. 



He says, that as to the Carolina or Virginian Myrtle, it thrives 

 best near the sea, and is raised either of seeds or layers. He advises 

 in planting them, that they be not too close together, nor in too 

 moist a place ; for that these will cause them to grow mouldy. That 

 they should be transplanted in the spring of the year, that they may 

 have time to get root in summer, that the tree may be supplied with 

 sap sufficient to nourish it in winter. 



All agree, that they should be well watered. Mr. Bradley says, 

 when they have once got large roots, they delight in water, and 

 should be frequently refreshed with it. Mons. Liger says, they 

 must be frequently watered in the summer, because the humidities 

 rectified by the heat of the sun, help layers to take root the sooner. 

 And Mr. Mortimer says, Myrtles must be well watered summer and 

 winter, or else they will not take root well. 



Mr. Bradley says, the Myrtle delights so much in moisture, that 

 he has known a pot of it set in a shallow bason of water, on the in- 

 side of a window, exposed to the South, that has shot above four 

 times as much in one summer, as any that have stood abroad ; and 

 has continued growing at that great rate for several years, without 

 renewing the earth in the pot, by only supplying the bason with /resh 

 water as it wanted; but the shoots of this plant were very tender. 



Mons. Liger advises to plant them in a place where the sun can 

 come at them, and to water them often : and says, you may know 

 when they want it by the fading of the leaves. 



Mr. Bradley says, in disposing of Myrtles, or any other plants in 

 the shade, you must do it so, that no other trees drop upon them, nor 

 must they be confined in too close a place, but have a free air both 

 round about them and above them, or else the shoots they make will 

 be very slender and weak. 



Mons. Liger says, Myrtles naturally require the use of the shear, 

 and are to be dipt by art ; and if by any accident any of the branches 

 happen to wither, they are to be cut off to the quick. 



Mr. Bradley directs, that about the middle of April, such old trees 

 as have been neglected and have thin heads, should he pruned about 

 the roots, and have fresh earth put to them ; and that the branches 



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