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Directions for Heading down Orange-Trees, 



TuST as the manuscript was going to the press, Mr. Rade- 

 maker, the Portuguese Agent in London, called and told me, 

 that he had received a letter from the Chevalier d' Almeida, 

 the late Ambassador from Portugal at this court, informing him, 

 that on his return home he had found the orange-tress on the 

 Prince of Brazil's plantations in a very unhealthy and decayed 

 state ; and requesting him to apply to me for some of the com- 

 position, and a copy of the pamphlet " On the Diseases, &c. 

 in Fruit and Forest-Trees as he wished to make trial of it on 

 the trees of that country. 



Accordingly, I have sent a cask of the composition, with 

 directions for preparing the trees, and laying it on. 



When it is found necessar}^ to head down orange-trees, I 

 would advise not to cut them quite down to the stem ; but to 

 leave two or three inches of the branches ; some more, some 

 less ; always remembering to cut near to a joint, and in such a 

 manner as to form a handsome head ; and to apply the com- 

 position immediately. In doing this, however, it will be ne- 

 cessary to leave a few young shoots to draw up the sap. If 

 the trees are infested with insects, the stems must be wash- 

 ed with soap-suds and urine, and well scrubbed with a hard 

 brush. 



About twelve years ago the orange-trees in the green house 

 in Kensington gardens were so m^uch infested with a species of 

 coccus, that I was obliged to head them all down, and clean off 

 the insects as above directed ; applying the composition imme- 

 diately after. These trees throve amazingly ; and in three 

 years, without any bottom heat, the heads were as large as be- 

 fore they were cut ; and they still continue in a flourishing and 

 fruitful state. 



I would advise to rub off the side shoots, as directed for 

 other fruit-trees, and to keep the heads thin of wood. 



I thought it proper to insert the above for the information 

 of those who have orange-trees in this country, as well as for 

 those who have them abroad. 



