82 DATE GROWING 



of course, the proper time unless one expects to work 

 under glass and with artificial heat. 



The soil used for the purpose must not contain 

 enough alkali to injure ordinary crops, and it will be 

 best if it is nearly pure. California growers should 

 select a clean, sandy loam, such as is available in 

 many parts of the desert. Several methods of starting 

 the seed have been found successful, and the one to be 

 selected will depend on the grower's own desire. 



Flats or shallow boxes offer a convenient method 

 of beginning, and are particularly desirable if the 

 grower has been a little slow in getting his permanent 

 location ready. They may be transported easily 

 from place to place, and save a great deal of time, 

 labor, and water in handling the seeds during the first 

 part of their plant life. The seeds should be planted 

 an inch or two deep and three or four inches apart, 

 and the soil kept constantly moist. 



Contrary to Arab ideas, it really makes not the 

 slightest difference in what position the seed is 

 planted. If a hole is punched in the soil with the end of 

 a broomstick, and the seed dropped in, it may be 

 covered up without further thought. 



Most American growers, however, have planted 

 their seeds in rows in the open field. Some have even 

 planted in the locations where the palm will stand 

 permanently — that is twenty-five or thirty feet apart; 

 but this requires an amount of labor and water that 

 the ordinary grower will feel to be wasted. On the other 

 hand, too close planting is to be avoided, as the 

 palms then take longer to come into flower, and one 

 does not wish to care for a lot of worthless males 

 any longer than necessary. 



From this point of view, the best planting is 



