Cultivation of the Orange and Lemon. 133 



mistake to remove all the stem and leaves of the stock 

 at once. The leaves are needed to keep up the circu- 

 lation of the sap and feed the bud. When it has grown 

 to the length of about five or six inches, the stock stem 

 can then be completely removed to within an inch 

 above the bud. This operation will have to be done 

 carefully, as the foreign shoot is still fragile and easily 

 broken off. As the shoot grows, thin stakes should be 

 driven into the soil, and the shoot secured by some soft 

 tying material, to prevent its being broken off by the 

 wind, until it becomes strong. 



The successfully-budded trees will be fit to plant out 

 in their permanent places, in the rains, and any stock 

 shoots which may appear below the bud should be re- 

 moved. Those trees in which the bud failed to take 

 should be shifted into a new nursery in the rains, and 

 a new shoot encouraged near the root, so that it may 

 be trained for budding on next February, the old stem 

 being cut off close above the new shoot. 



When the buds begin to start and grow, all they 

 require, beyond what has been said, is to watch for 

 caterpillars and destroy them when found. 



Although budding has its advantages, it requires 

 time at first to raise the necessary plants for budding 

 on. The plants require at least two years from the 

 seed, in a rich soil, with all necessary care, to fit them 

 for receiving the buds. Some say they require three 

 years for this purpose. In my opinion, where facilities 

 are available for keeping the khatta fruit on the trees, 

 it is better to take the seeds of these ripe fruits and 

 sow them rather thickly in pans containing rich soil, 

 and placed in the shade of trees, and sheltered from 

 hot winds. They will germinate freely in March, and 

 if caterpillars do not destroy them, and if they get 

 regular watering, they will be fit to prick out in a well 



