GREEN-HOUSE ORANGES, &C. 281 



them regularly every two weeks, to prevent them growing 

 to one side. 



ORANGES, LEMONS, &c. 



As it is frequently very inconvenient to shift these trees 

 into larger tubs in the months of March and April, this 

 month is a period that is suitable, both from the growth of 

 the trees and their being in the open air. It would be 

 improper to state the day or the week, that depending 

 entirely on the season. The criterion is easily observed, 

 which is when the first growth is over, these trees making 

 another growth in autumn. When they are large, they 

 require great exertion, and are frequently attended with 

 inconvenience to get them shifted. Where there is a 

 quantity of them, the best plan that we have tried or seen 

 adopted is as follows : Have a strong double and a single 

 block trimmed with a sufficiency of rope ; make it fast to 

 the limb of a large tree, or any thing that projects and will 

 bear the weight, and as high as will admit of the plant 

 being raised a few feet under it. Take a soft bandage 

 and put around the stem, to prevent the bark from being 

 bruised ; make a rope fast to it, in which hook the single 

 block. Raise the plant the height of the tub, put a spar 

 across the tub, and strike on the spar with a mallet, which 

 will separate the tub from the ball. Then with a strong 

 pointed stick probe a little of the earth from among the 

 roots, observing to cut away any that are affected by dry 

 rot, damp, or mildew, with any very matted roots. Having 

 all dressed, place a potsherds over the hole or holes in the 

 bottom of the tub ; measure exactly the depth of the ball 

 that remains around the plant, and fill up with earth, pres- 

 sing it well with the hand, until it will hold the ball one 

 inch under the edge of the tub. If there is from two to 

 four inches of earth under it, it is quite enough. Fill all 

 around the ball, and press it down with a stick, finishing 

 neatly off with the hand. Observe that the stem of the 

 tree is exactly in the centre. This being done, carry the 

 tree to where it is intended to stand, and give it water with 

 a rose on the pot. The earth will subside about two inches, 

 thus leaving three inches, which will, at any time, hold 

 24* 



