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downward till it reaches permanent water, no matter what 

 the distance from the surface; and the tree will make but 

 very little growth upwards until that * is accomplished ; 

 hence, trees planted on a porous soil high above water, 

 should reeeive irrigation during a long drouth. 



TOPPING THE TREES 



We have recommended the removal of nearly the 

 whole top of the tree at the time of planting, and our reas- 

 ons are that evaporation from the leaves is rapid and more 

 likely to dry up the circulation in the tree, and the bark 

 to shrivel, before the roots have assumed their natural 

 functions. We have tried all ways, leaving on the entire 

 top, as formerly practiced here, removing a portion, and 

 cutting away the whole as in setting trees with dormant 

 buds, and we most decidedly give preference to the latter. 

 In this latter practice there are no leaves to carry oft' the 

 fluids by 'evaporation, and when the roots become estab- 

 lished and resume their functions, adventitious buds ap- 

 pear and usually make a rapid and healthy growth, whereas 

 when the entire top or a large portion is allowed to remain, 

 the tree seldom makes any growth the first year, and does 

 pretty well if it holds its own We know that others hold 

 different views on this subject, but we have arrived at our 

 conclusions by years of experience, and believe it to be the 

 better way. 



MULCHING. 



In regard to mulching, we are utterly opposed to the 

 practice. The orange tree is the child of a sunny clime, 

 and requires all the warmth and the actinic rays of light 

 that can possibly be obtained in order to produce the best 

 results. Our efforts should be directed in such a manner 



