300 Remarks on the Culture of Exotic Vegetables. 



than over a transverse cut. In adopting- this plan, the loss 

 of fruit for one or two seasons at most, would be the extent of 

 damage , but it would be of further benefit in the destruction 

 of insects infesting the trees, and at a less loss than cutting 

 them down to the ground. 



Another method of propagating citrus, borrowed from the 

 Chinese, and lately termed local radication, is worthy of at- 

 tention, and suitable to the circumstances of this country; 

 fruit-bearing trees being formed by it in a few months. It 

 may be performed thus : — select a handsome fruit bearing" 

 stem, (on an old tree,) about half an inch or an inch in 

 diameter, cut a ring of the bark half an inch in breadth from 

 round the stem, which part place in any convenient vessel of 

 wood or cork, or in a canvas bag, capable of containing about 

 eight cubic inches of a rich compost soil, with which the 

 vessel must be filled, and made fast to the stem inclosed 

 therein ; above this fix a calabash, or other vessel filled with 

 water, but perforated at the bottom with a small hole, to 

 allow the water to drop constantly on the soil in the lower 

 vessel. In a short period the branch will take root. In a 

 few months it may be cut from the tree, and at any season of 

 the year, if found to be sufficiently rooted. It is then to be 

 planted where it is intended to remain. Care must be taken 

 to keep up a constant supply of water in the upper vessel ; 

 and, if the one containing the soil is covered with moss, it 

 will hasten the progress of the roots. The above practice is 

 applicable to many species of trees ; especially apple, pear, 

 and plumbs, &c. 



In planting an orangery, if possible, a loamy soil must be 

 selected. A clay soil, also, is favorable to the growth of the 

 orange, provided it is well manured. The manure applied to 

 such soil, should be composed of two parts cow-dung, one 

 part horse-droppings, and one part decayed leaves (those of 

 fir should be rejected); this compost ought to be prepared 

 some months previously to using it, by throwing it in heaps, 

 and occasionally turning and mixing it till wanted; when it 

 must be trenched in with a liberal hand. 



The ground being ready, the best trees are to be selected 

 from the nursery-beds and planted out in the quincunx man- 

 ner, at 25 feet apart each way ; especial care must be taken 

 not to bury the roots ; but, of two faults, choose the less evil, 

 and rather expose the upper roots on the surface, than place 

 the stem deeper than it has been in the ground before. 



If the natural soil should be either a stiff clay or a very 

 sandy loam, a dressing of manure will be of service every 

 vear, and frequently supercede the use of water; which, if 

 possible, should only be let on to the trees when the fruit is 

 set, and during the period of its swelling. Local situations 



