Augustli GREEN-HOUSE — ORANGES, ETC. 



271 



pots may contain them again, and allow from half an inch to 

 two inches, according to the size of the pot, of fresh soil around 

 the ball, carefully pressing it with the potting-stick. Finish 

 by leveling all neatly with the hand. Give very gentle wa- 

 terings from a pot with a rose mouth, for a few weeks, until 

 they have begun to grow. The tuberous-rooted and deci- 

 duous species must be very moderately supplied. Be careful, 

 when watering, that the new soil does not become saturated 

 with water, for, though allowed to dry again, it will not be 

 30 pure. When they grow afresh, expose them fully to the 

 sun, turn them regularly every two weeks, to prevent them 

 growing to one side. 



ORANGES, LEMONS, &c. 



As it is frequently very inconvenient to shift these trees 

 into larger tubs in the months of March and April, this 

 month is a period that is suitable, both from the growth of 

 the trees and their being in the open air. It would be im- 

 proper to state the day or the week, that depending entirely 

 on the season. The criterion is easily observed, v/hich is when 

 the first growth is over, these trees making another growth in 

 autumn. When they are large, they require great exertion, 

 and are frequently attended with inconvenience to get them 

 shifted. Where there is a quantity of them, the best plan 

 that we have tried or seen adopted is as follows : Have a 

 strong double and a single block trimmed with a sufficiency 

 of rope ; make it fast to the limb of a large tree, or anything 

 that projects and will bear the weight, and as high as will 

 a.dmit of the plant being raised a few feet under it. Take a 

 soft bandage and put around the stem, to prevent the bark 

 from being bruised ; make a rope fast to it, in which hook 

 the single block. Raise the plant the height of the tub, put 

 a spar across the tub, and strike on the spar with a mallet, 

 which will separate the tub from the ball. Then with a 

 strong pointed stick probe a little of the earth from among 

 the roots, observing to cut away any that are alfected by dry 

 rot, damp, or mildew, with any very matted roots. Having 

 all dressed, place a potsherds over the hole or holes in the 

 bottom of the tub ; measure exactly the depth of the ball 

 that remains around the plant, and fill up with earth, press- 



