PLANTING THE ORANGE SEED. 37 



The seeds may be planted either in boxes, or in 

 the open ground, or under glass, as quantity or 

 other circumstances may suggest. If fruit is eaten 

 in the early winter, the seed may at once be planted 

 in boxes and the boxes set in some warm place in- 

 doors, and the plants be so far advanced as to be 

 ready to set in the nursery early in the spring. 



In preparing beds or boxes for seed, have the bot- 

 tom soil covered two or three inches deep with fresh 

 leaf mould from the hummock. Place the seeds 

 about one inch apart and cover with half an inch of 

 soil leaf mould. Finish by a covering of one inch 

 of mulching and a thorough watering. Keep the 

 soil moist, but not wet If the seed-bed is in the 

 open ground it is well to hold the mulching in 

 place by laying a few brush on the bed. 



I have sometimes succeeded very well by allow- 

 ing the seed to remain in a box of sand till they 

 have started to sprout and then planting them di- 

 rectly in the nursery. In this case select a place 

 partially sheltered by forest trees. Prepare the soil 

 thoroughly for ten or twelve inches deep. Open 

 the rows four feet apart and eight inches deep. Fill 

 to within two inches of the top with well-rotted 

 muck, drop the seed three inches apart, and cover 

 with one and a half inch of soil. 



In selecting a position for the nursery, if your 

 place is well protected by water on the cold points 

 you may risk your nursery in the open field. But 

 if you are not satisfied about the protection, select a 



