CULTURE OF THE GENUS CITRUS. 
95 
casting- much shade, to discolour the leaves, yet darkness is far more injurious than 
sunshine. 
28. Watering . — Evergreen shrubs or trees thriving in strong rich soils are sel- 
dom fond of much water. The species of Citrus, however, when in large boxes, 
require a copious supply ; and if, during the spring of the year, the plants be regu- 
larly syringed, (a practice we follow with good results at Chatsworth), they will 
grow very vigorously. 
29. When the fruit is set, water the trees once a week, with water in which equal 
parts of the dung of cows and sheep have been steeped, sufficient to render the water 
as thick as cream. 
30. Always allow the soil to have the appearance of dryness before water be ad- 
ministered, when they are not in a growing state, and allow as little moisture to fall 
on the leaves as possible, until the season of growth commences, which will be about 
the beginning of March, 
31. Pruning — The pruning chiefly required is to cut out those branches which 
are little worth, to make room for the young fruit-bearing wood, and to thin the 
whole sufficiently to admit the sun and air. The best time for pruning is just before 
the trees begin to grow, in February. 
It often happens that newly imported Orange trees become bark-bound and sickly 
soon after they arrive in England. This may arise from such causes as change of 
climate, difference of soil in which they are potted, suffering drought and the con- 
trary, nature of the stocks, &c. &c. If the plants are not large, the best way is to 
immerse the stems three parts of the way up, in warm water, for a few hours, pre- 
vious to potting ; after potting, cut in the head according to the strength of the 
plant, and wrap hay-bands, or something of the kind, round the stem for a while, 
plunge the pots in a little heat, and syringe both the head and the hay -bands every 
day until the plants begin to grow, after which the bands may be removed ; but the 
plants had better remain plunged in heat, until they have made some vigorous 
shoots, after which gradually expose them until they are able to bear the con- 
servatory. 
Insects and Diseases.-— The red spider, coccus, and a little insect bearing a re- 
semblance to the thrips, often much infest the Orange. The former may be de- 
stroyed by syringing with pure water, and occasionally with a little sulphur ; the 
coccus may be destroyed by soap and water, with a sponge; for the last, which 
eats the pulp of the leaves, and causes them to be much blotched, we have disco- 
vered no certain cure : the most effectual remedy we have found is to syringe the 
trees pretty often with pure water. 
Orange trees thrive exceedingly if planted out into a border in a conservatory or 
greenhouse. 
In France, the flowers are thinned for distillation. The thinned fruit is made 
into confectionaries. In some cases, the fruit will require no thinning. Our large 
trees at Chatsworth produce so much fruit, that thinning is indispensable. 
