164 VILLA GARDENING part ii 



they must be grown systematically under suitable conditions, and 

 with a gradually increasing temperature as the fruit progresses. 

 But Oranges are imported so cheai:)ly that it is hardly necessary, 

 except it may be in the most complete establishments, to grow 

 them for the fruit alone. But I think that, for decorative pur- 

 poses. Orange trees might have more attention given to them, and 

 nearly all they require is to provide a light place, where the frost 

 is kept out, to shelter them in winter. All through the summer 

 the Orange trees may stand in the open air on the terrace, or in 

 any position where furniture of a somewhat novel character is 

 appreciated. There is hardly a place of any size that a few Orange 

 trees planted about would not improve. I have seen the pots 

 plunged in a sheltered nook on the lawn with good effect. 



Soil and Potting. — Turfy loam is the best soil, slightly 

 enriched with well-decayed manure ; crushed bones are also good 

 for them in moderation. I have used bones mixed with the soil 

 at the rate of a peck to a barrowful of soil, both for potting and 

 top-dressing, with manifest advantage, and this will permit of 

 small-sized pots being used for comparatively large plants. Large 

 plants, if the drainage is clear, may go several years without re- 

 potting. They reqiure a good supply of water in summer, but 

 less will be needed in winter, although the temperature of the 

 l)uilding in which they are placed will have some influence. 



The whole Citron family are excellent for covering walls any- 

 where under glass. I have seen good crops of Lemons grown on 

 the back of a vinery, and a wall covered with Oranges or Lemons, 

 in fruit or flower, has a delightful and quite novel appearance. 

 They succeed with but little trouble when planted out in a good 

 bed of loam under glass, where a night temperature of from 40° 

 to 50° can be maintained in winter. 



Insects and Diseases. — Orange trees are rather subject to the 

 attacks of brown scale. The best preventive is plenty of clean 

 water syi'inged over the foliage, occasionally putting a dash of soft 

 soap in it. If neglected, and they get badly infested, there is 

 notliing for it but a long period of sponging with an insecticide, 

 such as soft soap or Gishurst compound. 



Treating Unhealthy Plants. — When an Orange tree be- 

 comes sickly, it will be most probably found, on investigation, that 

 the drainage has become choked, so that the water cannot pass 

 freely away. Turn the jilant out of tlie pot, if in a bad state, and 

 remove the choked drainage and as much of the exhausted sodden 

 soil as can be got away without injuring the roots, and repot in a 

 clean pot of the same size. Though not easily killed, yet it is 

 possible to have them in very bad condition, and sometimes it may 



