374 Journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [lo June, 191 1. 



The soil should then be ploughed, and, if possible, it should be left in a 

 rough condition, so that it may be sweetened by exposure to the atmosphere. 

 3t is not advisable to plough too deeply, if the soil be shallow. If the 

 surface soil be of good depth, then it may be turned over to a depth of 

 8 inches or 9 inches. A subsequent deeper cross ploughing to the depth 

 of 12 inches will be beneficial, as the object of the cultivator should be 

 to get the land worked up into as loose and friable a condition as possible. 

 Thorough preparation for planting is a great aid to future success. 

 Thoroughly friable soil will induce deeper rooting, which is a great neces- 

 -sity in citrus trees. 



Orange and lemon trees are far more liable to fungus troubles than are 

 other classes of fruiting trees ; hence it is necessary that they should be 

 planted in a thoroughly aerated and sweetened soil, and that these desir- 

 able conditions should be permanently maintained. 



Planting and Care of Young Trees. 



When the soil is in a satisfactory condition, the planting may be pro- 

 •ceeded with. The season for planting is still a much debated subject. 

 As citrus trees produce their main crops at a time when other trees are 

 dormant, it is to be assumed that reversal of the time of planting is neces- 

 sary. Therefore, growers have been advised by some to plant in early 

 autumn; by others, in spring; and, by others, in summer. One point is 

 ■certain — the soil must be warm for the reception of the young trees ; this 

 is to impel quick rooting. 



The young trees must be planted at the same tmie, relatively, as other 

 -varieties of trees are planted ; that is, during their period of dormancy, 

 and shortly previous to the bursting into growth of the new buds. The-y 

 should be planted just previous to the " spring " sea.son of the trees. 

 The adaptability of citrus trees to alteration of conditions is very great, 

 and they will generally grow whether planted in the spring or in the 

 autumn ; but they should be planted when they will receive the least 

 check. Further, after planting, if planted in their " springtime," they 

 will put forth their young growths of foliage and probably flowers ; and 

 so they should be planted so that these new growths will have time to 

 Tipen and harden, before the rigours of winter and the ravages of frost 

 can affect them. Therefore, as soon as the soil is warm in the spring 

 time, planting may be proceeded with. October is generally a good 

 month to do this work. The soil is fairly warm, and the young trees 

 have plenty of time to put forth new roots and thus take hold of the soil 

 before the succeeding winter. If autumn planting be carried out, the soil 

 is warm enough, but the trees do not get sufficient roothold before the cold 

 Tveather sets in. Citrus trees may be planted at any time from October 

 to March ; but best results will follow from late spring planting. 



The trees should not be planted too closely ; the roots travel laterally 

 to a considerable degree, and the roots are also mainly surface feeders. 

 Mence, too much crowding will weaken the trees, and will necessitate 

 lieavy manuring in after years. Close planting also prevents, to a great 

 degree, a good circulation of atmosphere, which is a prime requisite, citrus 

 trees being evergreen. A distance of 30 feet each way is quite close 

 ■enough for all varieties of oranges. They may be planted at distances 

 of 25 feet or 26 feet, but no closer. Lemons, being of a more compact 

 _^growth, may be planted from 20 feet to 25 feet apart. 



