29 



to keep up a healthy growth of tree and fruit, varies with 

 the consistence of different soils. 



The treatment here recommended applies to light 

 sandy soils without bottom ; but where the soil consists 

 partly of clay, or has a clay subsoil, a much smaller quan- 

 tity of any manureal substance will be required. The 

 clay holds the inorganic elements, and the roots take them 

 up as needed. The leaves which fall from the tree and 

 decompose on the soil, furnishes sufficient plant food to 

 keep the tree in a passably healthy condition ; but if you 

 wish an abundance of fruit, you must feed your trees 

 accordingly. 



CAKE OF THE TREES. 



The trees should have every attention in order to keep 

 them healthy, and in good condition to furnish annual 

 crops of fruit. All superfluous wood and twigs on the 

 inner branches should be carefully removed in order to 

 admit light and air to the center of the tree. 



Cobwebs and all collections of debris should be 

 brushed away, and the truk and branches brushed over 

 with the soap and soda solution mentioned heretofore, and 

 the tree entire showered completely over with the same 

 solution. This application should be made once a year, 

 before the trees bloom. It not only cleans the trees from 

 moss and dirt, but has a tendency to free them from insects; 

 the scale in particular, and besides the soda solution acts as 

 a powerful fertilizer by dissolving materials inert in the 

 soil and converting them into plant food. 



DISEASE OF ORANGE TREES. 



The orange tree, as a rnle, is not subject to many dis- 

 eases. If the proper soil and conditions are present, the 

 tree will continue to grow, remain healthy and vigorous, 

 and live to a good old age, even centuries. We are of the 



