272 



GREEI^-HOUSE — OF PRUNING, ETC. [AuffUSt. 



ing it well with the hand^ until it will hold the ball one inch 

 under the edge of the tub. If there is from two to four inches 

 of earth under it^ it is quite enough. Fill all around the ball, 

 and press it down with a stick, finishing neatly off with the hand. 

 Observe that the stem of the tree is exactly in the centre. 

 This being done, carry the tree to where it is intended to 

 stand, and give it water with a rose on the pot. The earth 

 will subside about two inches, thus leaving three inches, 

 which will, at any time, hold enough of water for the tree. 

 Trees thus treated will not require to be shifted again within 

 four or five years, having in the interim got a few rich top- 

 dressings. 



Frecjuently, in attempting to take out of the tubs those 

 that are in a sickly state, all the soil falls from their roots, 

 having no fibres attached. When there are any such, after 

 replanting, put them in the green-house, and shut it almost 

 close up 3 there give shade to the tree, and frequent sprinklings 

 of water, until it begins to grow, when admit more air gra- 

 dually until it becomes hardened. Sickly trees should be 

 put in very small tubs, and a little sand added to the soil. 

 Give very moderate supplies of water, merely keeping the 

 soil moist Tubs generally give way at the bottom when 

 they begin to decay, and in the usual method of cooper- 

 ing after this failure they are useless, the ledging being 

 rotten, and will not admit of another Ibottom. The staves 

 should be made without any groove, and have four brackets 

 nailed on the inside, having the bottom in a piece by itself, 

 that it can be placed on these brackets, and there is no ne- 

 cessity of it being water tight. Then when it fails, it can 

 be replaced again at a trifling expense. A tub made in this 

 way will outlast three or four bottoms, and is in every re- 

 spect thfe cheapest, and should be more wide than deep. 

 When made in this manner they are easier shifted; you 

 have only to set the tub on a high block of wood, and drive 

 the tub off with a mallet, when the tree can be easily re- 

 placed into another tub. Large Myrtles and Oleanders may 

 be treated in the same manner as directed for the above. 



OF PRUNING ORANGES, LEMONS, &c. 



These trees will grow very irregularly, especially the 

 Lemon^ if not frequently dressed or pruned. Any time this 



