FROM SEED TO GROVE. 



25 



horticulturalists, we give it for the benefit of those who may pre- 

 fer it to mulching. 



Drive stakes four feet long into the ground, to the depth of 

 one foot ; along the borders of the bed, six feet apart. Xail nar- 

 roAv strips to the top of the stakes, or rope, or wire may be used, 

 if more convenient, then stretch over the frame-work thus pre- 

 pared, some thin guaze like material, coarse bagging, or the 

 slazy muslin called cheese cloth, for instance. 



If the beds are more than three feet wide, it will be well to 

 place stakes four and a half feet long at each end of the bed, in 

 the center, with a strip running from one to the other ; this will 

 raise the awning in the centre, like a double pitched roof 



Sheltered from the fierce heat of the sun, yet receiving plenty 

 of light, air and moisture, the young plants will grow very rap- 

 idly, but more weeding will be required than when the mulching 

 is used. 



By the time the plants have attained the height of twelve or 

 eighteen inches they are ready to be removed from the seed bed 

 to the nursery, and further shelter maybe dispensed vrith. 



The same canopy protection may be used over the seed beds 

 as well as over the plants already up. 



In raising plants of the citrus family, especially in the open 

 ground, there is an active little enemy to combat against, all 

 enemy whose name is legion, and who, if aliov^^ed to follow out 

 their own plans, will nip oil the embryo leaves cf the plants the 

 moment they appear above the ground. We refer to those very 

 industrious creatures vrhora the primers hold up to us as an ex- 

 ample to emulate, but it could be wished that their proverbial in- 

 dustry was more tempered with judgment in consideration for 

 struggling humanity. 



We mean ants of course. They evidently regard citrus 

 leaves as especial dainties, and must be taught to keep their dis- 

 tance. 



An application of air slacked lime, or hard wood ashes, will 

 dampen their ardor, or better than anything else in our experi- 

 ence, is a liberal watering of the ground, or mulch with an ap- 

 plication of " Gould's Fertilizer and Insect Exterminator, " one 



