18 
Citrus and Tropical Fruit Culture 
trunk of the tree in notch C until the soil is filled in 
around it. 
In digging the holes be careful not to disturb the 
two stakes set with the planting board or it will be 
impossible to get the tree accurately set. The holes 
should be dug 18 to 20 inches in diameter and about 
the same depth. Open root trees require a somewhat 
larger hole than balls. It is not advisable to dig the 
hole much deeper than necessary to hold the ball or 
roots, as there is danger of the tree settling if too 
deep, and it is never best to have them any deeper 
seemingly give the trees a little too much room rather 
than too little. Unlike planting ordinary farm crops 
where a mistake can be rectified the following year, a 
citrus orchard is planted but once in a lifetime. Re- 
member that sunlight and air are essential elements 
in the production of all fruits and if trees are so 
crowded that their branches touch, very little fruit 
can be expected excepting in their tops where the 
required light and air is available. The lower limbs 
and sides of the tree where the bulk of the fruit 
should be produced remain barren. 
A six-year-old Marsh Seedless pomelo grove planted to Teague trees yielding 5 to 6 boxes per tree. 
than they stood in the nursery. If holes are too deep 
fill up to the required depth and pack firmly. When 
it is necessary to dig deeper holes or blast in order to 
break up hard pan or heavy clay sub-soil, water 
should be run before planting so as to thoroughly 
settle the earth before planting the tree. The fol- 
lowing table will show the number of trees to the 
acre by the Square, Quincunx, and Hexagonal, or 
Septuple system : 
Hexagonal 
Distance Apart Square or Septuple Quincunx 
10 feet 436 500 831 
12 feet 303 347 571 
14 feet 222 255 415 
16 feet 170 195 313 
18 feet 134 154 247 
20 feet 108 126 199 
22 feet 90 103 173 
24 feet 76 96 137 
30 feet 48 56 83 
Note. In giving the distances of trees of the quincunx, 
the fifth or central tree is not taken into account. 
In determining the proper distance to plant citrus 
trees their habits and growth should be considered, 
always keeping in mind the fact that it is better to 
Our recommendation for planting the different va- 
rieties would be for W as hJngton Navels and other 
varieties of similar growth, 22 feet apart by the 
Square or 24 feet by the Hexagonal method. The 
Washington Navel is not usually a rapid growing 
tree excepting when planted on light alluvial soils, 
and in such locations we would advise planting a 
little further apart. 
Valencia Lates should be planted at least 24 feet 
apart on the Square or 26 feet on the Hexagonal 
method. They are vigorous growing trees, and to 
secure the best results when they reach maturity they 
should have plenty of room. 
Lemon trees are fully as vigorous as Valencias, but 
due to the necessity of constant pruning they do not 
usually make quite as tall a tree; however, the pro- 
duction is heavier, and the pruning having a ten- 
dency to cause the branches to spread out they should 
be given fully as much room as the Valencia. . The 
necessity for almost constant work in cultivating, irri- 
gating, picking, hauling and pruning make it essential 
that ample room be allowed. 
Pomelos should be planted the same distance apart 
