to the acre, and on soils of a high grade of fertility 75 are The 



enough. Smaller growing varieties, such as the mandarin ^ ultivatlon * 

 6 r ill- i u i Citrus Fruits 



group of oranges and the limes, should not be set closer 



than 200 trees to the acre. " 



In a sandy loam, rich in organic matter, the trees 

 grow much more vigorously, and should be set farther 

 apart. In heavy clay soils, their growth is less luxuriant, 

 and they may be set nearer together. 



On the whole, the best arrangement of the trees is that 

 of planting in hexagons, as shown in the adjoining figure. 



This method allows of fifteen 

 per cent, more trees than setting in 

 squares, and the ground can be 

 worked in three different directions, 

 It also gives better facilities for irri- 

 gation. 



The orange, in common with 

 other evergreen trees, is extremely 

 sensitive to exposure of its roots, 

 and for this reason special precau- 

 tions have to be taken in handling 

 the young trees in the process of 

 Trees planted in Hexagons. transplantation. The manner of 

 handling will depend in a great measure upon the character 

 of the nursery soil. Sacking and balling is, no doubt, the 

 method to be preferred, but it requires a certain degree of 

 adhesiveness in the soil. Lifting from the nursery when the 

 soil is too dry, exposure of roots, or careless planting, will 

 condemn the tree to a slow and sickly growth, and often 

 kill it outright. 



The practice of reducing the top to compensate for the 

 loss of roots in removal, is essential, but care must be taken 

 not to carry it too far, lest subsequent growth be thereby 

 checked. 



Fertilization. 



Judicious and liberal fertilization is essential to the 

 intensive culture of citrus fruits. Cultivation, pruning and 

 irrigation, necessary as they are to the success of the planta- 

 tion, fail in their object once the natural fertility of the 

 land is exhausted or sensibly reduced if the plant food 

 absorbed from the soil be not replaced. 



