68 On the Cidtnre of 



moist. Plunge your pots in a hot-bed, previously prepared 

 for them, of about 70 to 75 degrees of heat, taking good care 

 not to let the heat sink below that temi)erature. In a ^ew 

 days the plants will make their appearance through the moss, 

 after which a little air must be given them when the weather 

 permits. As soon as they attain the height of five or six 

 inches, which, if properly managed, will be in five or six 

 weeks after they are sown, pot them into 60 or small 48 

 sized pots, taking good care to drain the pots well, which is a 

 very necessary thing towards the growing of any plant well, 

 and especially orange trees; after which plunge the pots in 

 the hot-bed as before, taking good care that the bottom heat 

 is not too violent for their roots, and keep a steady heat, so as 

 not to let them get any way stunted in their growth, and by 

 the month of July the greater part of them will be ready 

 for being engrafted. Prepare a gentle hot- bed in a shady 

 situation ; or, if that cannot conveniently be done, turn the back 

 of the frame towards the south : then graft the plants, which 

 may be performed in various ways with equal success : but 

 the manner I would recommend, as in my opinion best, is that 

 of cleft-grafting, as the scion heals over the wound much 

 sooner than by any other way. I genei'ally take off the top 

 of the scion before inserting it in the stock, which, in my 

 opinion, acts as a stimulus to make the sap flow afresh, and 

 make them unite much sooner than if left untopped. At 

 this time much care is required to keep up a proper heat; and 

 that the plants be well shaded with double mats, for the clear 

 sun will often cause a complete failure. When you find that 

 they have properly taken, admit ahttle air ; but it must be but 

 very sparingly at first. If convenient, I would recommend 

 the plants to be kept in a frame during winter, as they are 

 sure to keep much better there than any where else, if good 

 care be taken not to overwater them, otherwise the roots will 

 rot. If about the beginning of April a little dung heat be 

 given, to set them growing, they will benefit much by it, pro- 

 vided plenty of air be admitted, to prevent them growing 

 weak. If one shoot be likely to take too much the lead of 

 the others, pinch off' the top, which will cause the sap to go to 

 the others, and by that means form a fine head to the plant. 



By such treatment, I am of opinion that orange trees 

 might be grown to much more advantage than by the present 

 manner of raising stocks, which are generally two years old 

 before they are fit for use. I have seen orange trees cul- 

 tivated in this manner with great success. The orange tree 

 does not require to be shut up in a house, like stove plants, as 

 most people treat it in this country ; but ought to get plenty 



