282 GUEEN-HOUSE OF PRUNING, &C. 



enough of water for the tree. Trees thus treated will not 

 require to be shifted again within four or five years, having 

 in the interim got a few rich top-dressings. 



Frequently, in attempting to take out of the tubs those 

 that are in a sickly state, all the soil falls from their roots, 

 having no fibres attached. When there are any such, 

 after replanting, put them in the green-house, and shut it 

 almost close up, there give shade to the tree, and frequent 

 sprinklings of water, until it begins to grow, when admit 

 more air gradually until it becomes hardened. Sickly 

 trees should be put in very small tubs, and a little sand 

 added to the soil. Give very moderate supplies of water, 

 merely keeping the soil moist. Tubs generally give way 

 at the bottom when they begin to decay, and in the usual 

 method of coopering after this failure they are useless, the 

 ledging being rotten, and will not admit of another bottom. 

 The staves should be made without any groove, and have 

 four brackets nailed on the inside, having the bottom in a 

 piece by itself, that it can be placed on these brackets, and 

 there is no necessity of it being water tight. Then when 

 it fails, it can be replaced again at a trifling expense. A 

 tub made in this way will last out three or four bottoms, 

 and is in every respect the cheapest, and should be more 

 wide than deep. When made in this manner they are 

 easier shifted ; you have only to set the tub on a high block 

 of wood, and drive the tub off with a mallet, when the tree 

 can be easily replaced into another tub. Large Myrtles 

 and Oleanders may be treated in the same manner as 

 directed for the above. 



OF PRUNING ORANGES, LEMONS, &c. 



These trees will grow very irregularly, especially the 

 Lemon, if not frequently dressed or pruned. Any time 

 this month look over them all minutely, and cut away any 

 of the small naked wood where it is too crowded, and cut all 

 young strong straggling shoots to the bounds of the tree, 

 giving it a round regular head. It is sometimes necessary 

 to cut out a small limb, but large amputations should be 

 avoided. Cover all large wounds with clay, turpentine, or 

 bees'-wax, to prevent the bad effects of the air. 



