NEW GUIDE TO ORANGE CULTURE. 



wood-lice, which are liable to girdle the tree. The ground for several feet 

 arouud the tree should be covered to the depth of four or five inches with 

 this mulch. Mulching trees during the hot, dry months of summer protects 

 the roots from injury by the sun. 



After-Culture. While the trees are young, the space between the rows can 

 be cultivated with the plow, and a light, inexhaustive crop raised. Care 

 must be fcaken, however, to narrow the area plowed each year so as not to 

 disturb the roots of the trees. The trees will suffer materially if their roots 

 are injured. Among older trees where the roots have extended themselves 

 over the surface, the best implement for cultivating is the "sweep." This 

 keeps down the weeds and grass, yet does not run deep enough to reach the 

 roots of the trees. The orange requires thorough cultivation, and the soil 

 should be constantly stirred during the growing season. In the fall, culti- 

 vation can be suspended until the following spring ; many prefer to keep 

 their groves free from grass and weeds the year round. 



Pruning. Although the orange tree requires but little pruning, the skillful 

 orange -grower will find something to do in this department every year, at 

 least until the trees reach the bearing age. This tree should be encouraged 

 to form a low head, as the foliage protects the stem and roots from the sun 

 and frost. The interior of the tree should be kept open by removing sur- 

 plus limbs, to admit light and air ; and, by extending the lateral branches, 

 to increase the bearing surface of the tree. " Water" shoots, and unshape- 

 ly, diseased or dead branches should be removed with a sharp knife. When 

 large trees are to be moved .they should be root-pruned several months be- 

 fore they are taken up to secure an abundance of fibrous roots. Root- 

 pruning can also be applied with advantage in the management of dwarf 

 or garden trees, and to promote fruitf ulness. 



Fertilizing. The orange tree responds generously to a judicious application 

 of fertilizers. It is better not to apply these when the trees are planted, 

 but to wait until they have taken root. Some commercial manures are said 

 to produce good effect we have had little experience with them. Turn- 

 ing in green crops is a practical and inexpensive method of fertilization, 

 particularly on the high pine and other light, dry soil. The cow pea is es- 

 pecially valuable for this purpose. When a more immediate effect is de- 

 sired, the pease or other growth can be ' ' listed " in around the tr^es. Muck, 

 composted with animal manures, or with lime, is an excellent fertilizer. A 

 well-rotted compost of muck, succulent vegetable tissue, and lime and salt, 

 is. perhaps, the best fertilizer for the orange. The above can be scattered 

 broadcast, or, if this be too expensive, can be spread around the trees at 

 the extremity of the lateral roots. In applying fertilizers the orange-grower 

 should be guided by the nature and condition of his soil, supplying those 

 elements which are lacking. Nitrogenous manures should be used sparingly, 

 and never until thoroughly decomposed. 



