Notes ajid Gleanings. 307 



houses, one foot wide. These openings should be in the centre of each side, and 

 shutters of wood or sashes employed to close them ; the latter, of course, being 

 the most agreeable. 



In houses thus treated, orange-trees may be cultivated in pots or tubs, or 

 planted in the borders. There is no doubt that more rapid growth would take 

 place if such borders were heated by having hot-water pipes placed two feet un- 

 der the surface : but, from recent experience, I am inclined to think this is not 

 absolutely necessary ; for, if the borders are raised eighteen inches above the 

 surface, they would have sufficient heat from the atmosphere of the house, and 

 their temperature would be quite equal to sustain the trees in health. 



The cultivation of dessert-orange-trees in pots or tubs is very simple. The 

 compost they require consists of equal parts of peat, loam, and manure thor- 

 oughly decomposed. The two former should not be sifted, but chopped up with 

 the pieces of turf and roots so as to form a rough compost. The trees will grow 

 in this freely, and bear abundantly ; but they should have gentle, constant root 

 heat : this is best given by enclosing hot-water pipes in a shallow chamber 

 of bricks, and placing the pots on a flooring of slates or tiles forming the roof of 

 the chamber. 



The compost for the borders in which orange-trees are to be planted should 

 consist of turfy loam two parts, and equal parts of thoroughly decomposed ma- 

 nure and leaf-mould. After planting, the borders should be trodden down tirmly, 

 as orange-trees seem to flourish best in firm loamy soils. In the orange-gardens 

 of Nervi, where orange-trees are, or used to be, so largely grown for exporta- 

 tion, and imported by the London dealers in oil, &c., the soil is a tenacious yel- 

 low loam. 



The best form of tree for an orange-garden under glass is the round-headed, — 

 a form which it seems to take naturally ; for if it is endeavored to be cultivated 

 as a pyramid, which would seem desirable, its lower branches soon become 

 weakly and unhealthy. If trees with stems two or three feet in height are 

 planted, the lower branches may be gradually removed till a clear stem of five 

 feet in height is formed ; and this height will be found sufficient. They may be 

 planted from five to six or seven feet apart, according to the size of the house, 

 and the room which can be afforded for each tree. It must not be forgotten, that, 

 in small houses, the heads of the trees may be kept in a compact state by sum- 

 mer pinching, and in large houses be allowed a greater freedom of growth, so 

 that the owner of an orange-garden in England may sit under the shade of his 

 orange-trees. 



There are but few kinds yet known of really fine dessert-oranges. The ama- 

 teur who wishes to plant an orange-garden to supply his dessert must not think 

 of planting the numerous varieties of the genus Citrus, grown by Italian and 

 French cultivators : they are mostly what are called fancy sorts, and are more 

 prized for their foliage and flowers than for their fruit. 



One of the most charming and prolific of dessert-oranges is the Tangierine. 

 The tree has small leaves, and seldom attains a height of more than seven feet, 

 even in North Africa. Its most valuable quality is its early ripening ; so that in 

 October, just as the late peaches and other soft fruits are over, this luscious lit- 



