262 



GREEX-HOUSE — ORANGES, ETC. [J.p'z7. 



ORANGES, LEMONS, &c., 



"Will, in many instances, about the end of this month, be 

 showing flowers or flower buds. They must, under these 

 circumstances, h^ve plenty of air to prevent them from 

 falling ofl* when entirely exposed. The reason that we see 

 so much fine blossom falling to the ground where the trees 

 are brought out of the house in May, is from the confine- 

 ment they have had. Where there is a convenience of 

 giving air from the back of the green- house, it should always 

 be given in mild days, especially in those houses that have 

 a recess back from the top of the sashes, for even if the 

 sashes are let down every day, still the house will not be 

 properly ventilated. Any plants that are sickly and in- 

 tended to be planted in the garden next month to renovate 

 their growth, may be cut back (if not already done) as far 

 as is required to give the tree a handsome form, taking care 

 not to cut below the graft of inoculation. Let the operation 

 be done with a fine saw and sharp knife, smoothing the 

 amputations that are made by the saw } and if they are 

 large, put a little well-made clay over the wound, to prevent 

 the air from injuring it. Beeswax and turpentine are 

 preferable to clay, not being subject to crack or fall ofi* by 

 the weather. 



If there are any Lar/erstroemiaSj Pomegranate or lit/- 

 drdnrjeas in the cellar, they should be brought out about 

 the first of the month, and planted in their respective situa- 

 tions. Give the IL/drdnc/ea a very shady spot. It does 

 not require much sun, provided it has plenty of air, and do 

 not plant it into soil that has been lately manured. A large 

 plant must have great supplies of water in dry weather. If 

 the plant is very thick, the oldest branches may be thinned 

 out, but do not cut out any of the young shoots, as they 

 contain the embryo of the flower. Lagerstroemias will 

 flower abundantly without pruning, but, to have fine large 

 spikes of flowers, cut in the wood of last year to about three 

 eyes from the wood of the preceding year; by this they will 

 be much finer. Pomegranates will only require a little of 

 the superfluous wood cut out. Perhaps some of them may 

 be desired to flower in pot or tubs during summer ; the balls 

 will admit of being much reduced, and by this a pot or tub 



