74 FLORIDA FRUITS ORANGES. 



to dry off during the interval between digging and plant- 

 ing, for, being evergreens, they dry off very quickly, and 

 will never revive again. Never let the sun touch them. 



In packing for shipment the roots should be thoroughly 

 enveloped in moss, straw, or grass, very slightly dampened ; 

 more trees are lost in transportation, through rotting and 

 over-heating, than by being too dry ; in conveying them in 

 wagons, even a short distance, damp Florida moss should 

 be thrown over them. Take them from under this shelter, 

 one by one, as you are ready to plant them, never drop 

 them ahead of the workmen. 



The soil should be damp, both when the trees are taken 

 from the nursery and when they are set out. Place the roots 

 in water, for twelve hours before planting, and use water 

 freely when setting them out. In planting, the bottom of 

 the hole should be slightly raised in the center, sloping 

 downward toward the sides ; then, with a small spade or a 

 pointed stick, make a hole in the middle of the mound for 

 the tap-root; and just here is an important item. The tap- 

 root it does no harm if it is cut partially away should 

 rest in the hole thus prepared for it, to such a depth as will 

 bring the top lateral roots of the tree about an inch above the 

 ground after the soil is all filled in around the tree. 



Too much caution can not be exercised about this, for if 

 the tree is set too deep it will be a long while, perhaps 

 years, before it will flourish, for it will be compelled to 

 send out fresh surface roots to take the place of those 

 smothered from the air and warmth by too deep planting. 



Remember that freshly plowed land is always raised sev- 

 eral inches above its general level, and also that trees al- 

 ways settle after being planted from one to two inches, 

 according to their weight. Therefore, let the upper roots, 

 where they stand out from the stem, be in full view after 

 your work is done, th^n you are assured it is well done. 



