72 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



and long» with winged footstalks, the wings almost 

 as broad as the leaves ; the fruit is spheroidal and 

 grows to a large size, sometimes seven or eight 

 inches in diameter; the plant is remarkably vi- 

 gorous. 



There are a great many varieties and sub-varieties 

 of the above sorts ; but those enumerated will form a 

 very handsome collection, will look green at all sea- 

 sons of the year, and fill the air of the green-house 

 with a delightful odour when in blossom. 



The culture of the orange and lemon tribe is very 

 simple. They require to be planted in a loamy soil 

 well enriched with decomposed dung, and the pots 

 sufficiently drained ; as they are apt to collect dirt on 

 the leaves, they require to be frequently watered over 

 the top in the evenings in mild weather, and even 

 leaf by leaf washed with a sponge. They are also 

 subject to the attacks of an insect called the orange 

 bug, a sort of turtle-shaped scale of about an eighth 

 of an inch in length or more, which may sometimes 

 be seen on the leaves and small shoots. The best 

 way to get rid of these vermin is to brush them oif 

 with a small painter's brush, and then wash the plant 

 well with a sponge and common water ; some use 

 soap-suds and sulphur, but in the hands of ordinary 

 practitioners water is safer and does just as well. 



When the fruit begins to set, they ought to be 

 thinned and only a few left on each plant. When 

 this is neglected and the trees left to carry as many 



