MARCH.] THE GREEN-HOUSE. 099 



arid a little way down round the sides, and draw this loose earth 

 out; then fill up the tub again with new compost, and give some 

 water. 



But where any orange or lemon trees, are in a very weak or 

 sickly unprosperous growth, it would be advisable about the latter 

 end of this month, or beginning of next, to prune the heads and 

 shift them into entire new earth ; taking the plant clean out of the 

 pot, all the old earth shaken entirely from its roots, and all mouldy 

 and decayed roots cut off; then let the whole root be washed in 

 water, and plant it again immediately in a tub or pot of new earth, 

 taking care not to place it too deep ; and give water moderately. 



After this shifting, it would be a great advantage to the same 

 plants, if you have the conveniency of a glass-case, Sec. in which 

 previously to make a hot-bed of tan or dung, but tan is much pre- 

 ferable, and if in this bed the trees are plunged, they will shoot 

 sooner, and more freely, both in root and top, to recover good 

 strength, and a renewed head of branches of prosperous growth, 

 early in the following summer. 



Heading down Myrtles, &c. 



Where myrtles, or other similar exotics, have decayed branches, 

 or their heads thin, straggling, and irregular, they may now also be 

 headed down, more or less, as it shall seem proper, and either shift 

 them into some fresh earth, as directed above for the oranges, or 

 some of the top-mould within the pots taken out, and a little round 

 the sides ; then fill up with fresh earth, and water them. 



These trees, with this management, will shoot out again, and in 

 four or five months time, will be furnished with entire new heads. 

 Supply them duly with water. 



Shifting Plants, that want it, into larger Pots. 



Any of the oranges, lemons, or myrtles, or other green-house 

 plants, that want larger pots, may be shifted therein, with some 

 fresh earth, towards the end of this month, when the weather is 

 mild. 



In performing this, let each plant intended for shifting, be turned 

 out of its present pot with the ball of earth entire ; but let any 

 thickly-matted or dry mouldy roots, on the out-side of the ball, be 

 pared off with a sharp knife ; then set them in their new pots, and 

 fill up the spaces with fresh earth. 



Water them immediately after this, set them in their places 

 in the green-house, and they will shoot freely both at root and 

 top. 



Care of Geraniums, &c. 



Examine the geraniums and other plants of a similar growth ; 

 the young shoots being somewhat succulent, are more liable to in- 

 jury from the effects of a severe winter, or great damps, than the 



