89 



SETTING OUT AN ORCHARD- 



An orchard can be set out at any time during the periods that 

 the trees are dormant, probably from June to September is the 

 time when they are most so. Should, however, the trees be in 

 tins, with careful handling when they are removed from the tin<* 

 they can be set out in orchard even when they are growing, but 

 each tree must be well watered at once or many will die. There 

 is a good deal of difference of opinion as to whether it is best to 

 plant trees direct from tins or with bare roots. We would say 

 that should the tree have been dug out of the nursery without 

 much displacement of soil and just left long enough in the tin to 

 get established we would prefer it at an increased price, 

 roughly Is. per tree. But we have satisfied ourselves that if well 

 dug and every detail of the packing is carefully done Citrus tree& 

 can be safely transported any distance in the Colony with a small 

 loss on being planted out. But growers must remember that a 

 plant in foliage at the time of planting needs much more careful 

 attention, as although the tree may be quite dormant at 

 planting there must necessarily be a good deal of evaporation 

 through the leaves, and this evaporation must be met by keeping 

 the soil around the tree moist. 



At once after planting we recommend the trees should receive 

 water, and that the surface of the soil around each tree should be 

 mulched with hay, straw, grass or bushes, or indeed anything 

 which will retain the moisture ; it is a good thing also to protect 

 the tree from the direct rays of the sun, either by reeds, stakes,. 

 bagging, or indeed anything w^hich will serve the purpose. We 

 are inclined to think, the defoliation of the young trees to prevent 

 evaporation is not altogether desirable, as the benefits derived 

 from it are more than counteracted by the danger of having the 

 tree scorched by the winds which are very prevalent throughout 

 the country. 



The general directions given under the head of " Planting 

 Deciduous Trees," equally applies to Citrus trees, too much care 

 cannot be taken in every detail of the work. 



Don't plant too deep. It is a mistake which is very generally 

 made throughout the country, and is of vital importance. In 

 Florida, where the soil is shallow, and the climatic conditions are 

 equable trees are often planted on the top of the ground, and the 

 soil thrown up against them ; we do not of course advocate this, 

 but we do say keep the place where the bud is inserted well 

 above the ground, letting thecrown of the roots be covered a few 

 inches only. Many growers have told us that it is impossible to 

 keep trees clean from scale if they have been set too deep ; we 

 cannot state this from our personal experience, but we do know 

 that in Florida it is generally recognized to be a fact, and it must 



