94 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS CITRUS. 
19. If the scions appear stunted or dry, or hide-bound, steep them for five or ten 
minutes in water, made new-milk-warm. 
20. After being- grafted, place the stocks in a brisk hotbed of dung for about six 
weeks : during the first fortnight they should be kept close shut up, and be shaded 
from the effects of the sun, watering, as often as the plants require it, with tepid 
water. 
21. When the grafts are united, which will be in a fortnight or three weeks, take 
off the bass and clay, and tie a little moss round the part of union ; give more air, 
and continue to slightly shade them for another fortnight, when they will be well 
united, and may be gradually hardened, and removed to the greenhouse. 
22. Compost. — The best compost for Oranges, &c. consists of good, rich, turfy, 
maiden loam, well rotted, one half ; very rotten horse-dung, one fourth ; very rotten 
leaf mould, one fourth: mix these well together, but do not sift them. 
23. Oranges do not thrive if shifted very often ; once in three years is often 
enough. Lay a good quantity of broken potsherds at the bottom of their pots or 
boxes ; and always, after being shifted, place them in a brisk heat until they have 
begun to grow again; also syringe them over-head every day in fine weather, and it 
will greatly facilitate their growth. Top-dressing, however, should be performed 
every spring. 
24. Always select the boxes, pots, or tubs of a proportionate size to the plants. 
Large tubs should always be so constructed as 
to be taken easily to pieces when the plants 
require shifting, or the roots examining. The 
neatest and most convenient orange-tub is 
one invented by Mr. MTntosh, and figured in 
the Gard. Mag., vol. i. p. 140. It is tapered 
a little, which gives it a lighter appearance 
than when made square, and is so very easily 
taken to pieces, in doipg which it is only ne- 
cessary to puil up the two iron bars, and 
gently pull out two of the sides, the remain- 
ing sides lift up. 
25. Temperature. — Never allow the air of the house in which Orange trees are 
grown to sink below 40 deg., nor for the standard heat above 55 deg. Fahrenheit, 
except at the seasons when they make their shoots and ripen their fruit : in the 
first case, never allow it to rise above 65, and in the last case not above 75 deg. 
26. Air.— Always give abundance of air, when the weather will allow; for al- 
though the whole genus enjoy humidity, yet, if this be carried to excess, they will 
become mildewed, and the leaves will become sickly and yellow. In general, it may 
be taken for a rule, that the more air they receive when in flower, the more fruit 
will set. 
27. The houses in which Orange trees grow should always be light and airy. 
Although too much violent sunshine is liable, whilst the plants are incapable of 
