123 



the centre for the tap root. It is very important that allowance be 

 made for the fact that the Orange tree is a surface feeder, and not 

 plant too deep It is better to have the tree 2 inches higher in the 

 new bed, after settling, than one inch lower, than it was originally. If 

 the roots are too low, it may take years before it forms sufficient new 

 roots near the sir face to provide for the health of the tree. 



If the weather is dry, the ground must be kept moist for some time, 

 and a mulching of an inch or two of manure is useful, especially just 

 over the ends of the roots. 



A banana leaf may be struck into the ground on the south side to 

 shade the trunk.. 



On treatment after budding trees. — It is advantageous to allow a few 

 shoots to g'ow on the old stump but only below the buds, until the 

 buds have grown to a proper size with enough leaves to provide for 

 the wants of the tree Hut the oil shoots must be kept pinched back 

 with only sufficient full- sized leave? and so as not to be higher than 

 the buds, and they should be pulled off altogether as soon as the new 

 shoots are ample. 



When the buds have grown 10 or 12 inches, pinch them back by 

 taking off the terminal bud and this process is to be repeated occasion- 

 ally in order to make the shoot thicker rather than long, to mature 

 the wood and leaves, and to cause branching near the stock. 



The method of budding has already been described in the Bulletin 

 for December, 1895, and need not be repeated. 



GRAPES FOR THE UNITED SATES MARKET. 



The following has been received on the price of Gripes in Xew 

 York from Messrs. Gillespie Br< s. & Co. : — 



We beg to lay before you the following regarding English (or Hot- 

 house) Grapes. These are sal able here during the winter months, the 

 price depending considerably on the condition in which they are re- 

 ceived here, as high as $2.00 per pound being paid for the sound, and 

 their least value would probably be $1.00 per pound. 



They should be packed in baskets of about ten pounds each, well 

 protected against " bruising" by introducing between and around each 

 cluster exceptor or other local substitute. 



To ensure their arriving here sound, it will be necessary to have them 

 brought on in the ships' refrigerator. 



The duty here is 20o/o on invoice value. 



Native grapes (grown in U. S.,) are expected to come to market in 

 May, however, if you have any fit for shipment at present we would 

 recommend that you send on one basket of about 10 lbs. in order that 

 buyers might get a chance to judge of the Jamaica article which at 

 present is comparatively unknown here, and we ourselves would then be 

 better in a position to offer fitting suggestions as to future shipments; 

 of these from your Island. 



