20 
Citrus and Tropical Fruit Culture 
tained. In taking up trees in this manner all the 
soil is taken off the roots, care being used to prevent 
their being exposed to wind or sun while being pre- 
pared for packing. Damp moss is used for packing, 
and when properly packed trees handled in this man- 
ner will keep in perfect condition for two or three 
months. We make shipment of trees packed in this 
manner to Mexico, South America, South Africa, 
China and Japan, and they always arrive in good 
condition. 
PLANTING BALLED TREES 
First of all handle them carefully. The purpose 
of balling is to get an undisturbed root system. By 
rough handling the roots are jarred loose or broken 
off in the ball and the benefit of balling is lost. 
Better plant a properly handled open root tree than 
a roughly handled balled one. Never carry a balled 
tree by the trunk or top, always lift it by the ball, 
either by placing the hands under the bottom or by- 
grasping the sack at the base of the trunk. We try 
to see that trees are handled in this manner at the 
nursery, and if planters will see that their employees 
are just as careful there will be less cause for com- 
plaint. 
Having received the trees at the place of planting, 
see that they are not unduly exposed during the 
planting. Only such trees as are to be immediately 
planted should be distributed in the field. The re- 
mainder should be kept in the shade and sprinkled if 
necessary to prevent the balls from drying out. We 
have seen trees set in the field for a day or two before 
being planted and all grow, but it is a dangerous 
practice, especially if the weather is warm or windy, 
and the trees receiving this additional shock cannot 
be expected to do as well as those properly handled. 
In setting the tree. try and get it as near the same 
depth as it stood in the nursery. Usually the top of 
the ball should be about one inch below the level of 
the ground, this allows for about that much loose 
soil that is taken off in balling the trees. As trees 
usually settle some after the water is applied, it is 
best to set them just a little shallow rather than too 
deep. Having gotten the tree in the hole, see that 
the trunk and top are perpendicular before filling in 
the soil. It is customary for one man to hold the 
tree in place while one or two others fill up the hole. 
It is advisable to use good top soil for this rather 
than that taken from the bottom of the hole. 
When the hole is about two-thirds filled, cut the 
string at the top and turn down the sack, then finish 
filling the hole. This allows the sack to quickly rot 
and prevents the possibility of afterwards hooking on 
to the sack with hoe or cultivator and disturbing the 
tree. Do not pack the soil by hand or foot as it is 
being placed around the ball. Firm it just sufficient 
to hold the tree in place. The water will settle it 
much better and more thoroughly if left in this way. 
Water should be run as soon as possible after 
planting. While balled trees will stand some time 
without watering, it is best to settle the soil around 
the ball within a few hours after planting, especially 
if the weather is warm. After watering and before 
the soil is thoroughly set, go over the orchard and 
straighten up any trees that may have settled out of 
line. After straightening up the tree fill in with dry 
soil and hoe as soon as dry enough to prevent crack- 
ing or drying out around the tree. Water thoroughly 
again in ten days or two weeks, after which time the 
trees should not require irrigation for from three 
weeks to thirty days, depending on weather condi- 
tions. In planting in the interior valleys during the 
summer months it is advisable to irrigate every ten 
days for at least six weeks after planting. 
PLANTING OPEN ROOT TREES 
As stated elsewhere, it is necessary to use much 
more care in handling open root trees, as it is abso- 
lutely essential that the roots never be allowed to dry 
out. When planting trees dug in this way never 
take but one tree at a time out of the box or package 
in which they are received, then immediately plant it 
using moist soil to fill in the hole. Never use hot dry 
dirt or disaster will follow. 
The man holding the tree in place should spread 
out the lateral roots as the hole is filled up so that 
they will be as near in their natural position as pos- 
sible. If planted in warm weather, water should be 
immediately applied. The best results can be ob- 
tained by using a tank wagon for watering the first 
time, and if the soil is inclined to be dry fill the hole 
with water before filling in the earth, or as it is being 
filled in. This will completely saturate and settle the 
soil around the roots. If it is not practical to use a 
tank wagon, or if irrigation water is available, have 
the water running down the rows as the trees are 
being set, and never plant more than one or two trees 
ahead of the water. 
In using this method, it is best to double stake the 
ground so that a furrow can be run between the 
stakes before the holes are dug. This will facilitate 
getting the water to the trees more quickly. Water 
should be again applied as in planting balled trees, 
excepting that the ground around the trees must be 
more closely watched than with balled stock, and if 
it shows any sign of drying out or cracking apply the 
second irrigation more quickly. 
CARE OF THE ORCHARD 
The success of all agricultural and horticultural 
pursuits depends largely on the care and attention 
given them, and in none is this more pronounced than 
in citrus culture. Citrus trees will survive under 
most trying conditions of neglect and abuse, but to 
attain any degree of success in the production of 
profitable crops, one must give them good care, which 
means proper irrigation, sufficient cultivation and 
