Feb] 



GREEN-HOUSE AND CONSERVATORY, 



1025 



application can be expected capable of destroying them. The 

 application of ammonical gas, however, may be considered as 

 an efficacious antidote, but the generation and application of 

 that gas are not yet sufficiently understood by practical men to 

 be brought in as a remedy against these insects. Washing 

 the leaves often with a pretty strong lather of soft soap, ap- 

 plied with a sponge or soft brush, is very effi^ctually used fo\^ 

 their suppression ; and although it be a tedious method, it has 

 the merit of being effectual. In regard to shifting oranges, 

 we suspect that as much injury is done by a too frequent re- 

 currence to that practice as almost by a total neglect of it, as 

 fine oranges are to be met with which have not been shifted 

 for many years. The necessary supplies of nutriment which 

 they require, should therefore be applied in form of liquid 

 manure, or by frequently top-dressing the surface of the pots 

 or tubs with sheep's dung, or similar stimuli, which will be 

 carried down to the roots gradually by each watering. The 

 continental orange-cultivators frequently grow them in boxes, 

 in which they are allowed to remain until the box becomes 

 quite rotten, and not unfrequently do they, in such cases, place 

 the rotten box within one of larger size. The decomposing 

 wood, they conclude, supplies the plants with a constant sup- 

 ply of food, somewhat similar to the vegetable-mould which 

 most cultivators use in forming compost for these trees. Broken 

 or pounded bones, horn, and similar matter, appears useful 

 for a like purpose, and such is very often practised ^ith some 

 of the best cultivators in this country. 



As a very necessary precaution in planting oranges in pots 

 or boxes, where they are thus to remain for several years, too 

 much care cannot be taken in draining them well, as, if not 

 done in a proper manner before the plant be put in, it cannot 

 be done afterwards, and, if superficially done, will be attended 

 with the worst consequences. For, although the whole orange 

 tribe require at certain seasons a large supply of water, and 

 always appear to thrive best in a damp humid atmosphere, 

 still they are very impatient of too much wet at their roots. 

 We have already observed, that this family do not require 

 much fire-heat ; a cool equable temperature is what we have 

 observed them to succeed best in. Abundance of water, par- 



6p 



