HOW TO PLANT. 75 



Before the tree is placed in the hole trim off with a 

 sharp knife all the bruised or broken roots, and cut back 

 the tree severely, allowing a few, but only a few, leaves 

 to remain; then push the tap-root down into the hole 

 prepared for it, pack the top earth you have thrown out 

 around it, spread out the lower layer of the lateral and 

 fibrous roots, holding out of the way the upper roots, pack 

 down the soil firmly on them with your hands, spread out 

 the upper layers and pack the earth firmly on them with 

 your feet, then pour on a half pail of water, when that 

 has had time to settle spread the sub-soil around the tree 

 and level off the ground, and that completes the operation. 



A day or two after the trees are set out examine them 

 and see if any of them need straightening, also if any of 

 the holes need more filling. Trees, if possible, should be 

 pruned a week or two before removal from the nursery to 

 enable them to recover from the shock that is always at- 

 tendant upon severe pruning. For at least several months 

 after planting the trees should be mulched, in order to pre- 

 vent the possibility of the upper rootlets becoming dry 

 before they have had time to establish themselves in their 

 new quarters. 



We may have seemed tedious and unnecessarily minute 

 in treating of this matter of "how to plant," but the ex- 

 perience of all orange growers teaches that the most critical 

 period in the life of the tree is that in which it is moved 

 from the nursery to the grove, and in the manner in which 

 that is done depends its after career for better or worse ; it 

 is the corner-stone of the future grove. 



The following table will be found convenient for refer- 

 ence in laying out a grove and in ordering trees : 



NUMBER OF TREES IN SQUARES PER ACRE. 



20 x 20 feet 108 trees. 30 x 30 feet 48 trees. 



25 x 25 " . . 70 " 35 x 35 " . . 36 " 



