Cultivation of the Orange and Lemon. 129 



makes a high bush, with the lower branches close to 

 the ground. And if the trees are planted,, even at 

 i oft. apart, in a good-sized trench filled with good 

 soil, and the ingredients mentioned before, it is 

 wonderful how soon an impenetrable and high lime- 

 tree hedge can be made. In an extensive orchard, 

 lines of lime trees, planted in the same way, and 

 running north and south, might be very advantageous 

 as hot wind-breaks. The little kaghizs are great 

 favourites, and are always saleable. The reason for 

 preferring this lime tree for hedges and wind-breaks 

 is this ; although I think it originally an imported 

 citrus, it has, for ages, been raised from seed every- 

 where, so that it has had ample time to naturalize 

 itself, and, in all these generations, adapt itself to the 

 surroundings of a hot-wind climate. It has, therefore, 

 become hardy, and the hot winds do it little or no 

 harm. During the process of making a lime-tree 

 hedge, some temporary fence might be made. 



I think it would be advisable, in Government 

 gardens, to raise plants of all useful varieties of citrus 

 from seed. This practice might result in hardier 

 varieties being bred, and more suited, by both natural 

 and artificial selection, to their local surroundings. 

 It should not, however, be the principal aim of an 

 experimental and acclimatizing garden to pay its way. 

 It will pay indirectly by introducing useful and 

 suitable fruit trees among the population. 



A few words may be now useful, regarding the 

 operation of budding, for the advantage of beginners. 

 This is done in the same way as for budding roses, 

 by inserting one or more buds of the desired variety 

 under the bark of either the khatta, Seville, or sweet 

 lemon. The best time for this operation is in January 

 and February, when the returning warmth produces 



