THE ORANGE. 51 



DISTANCE OF NURSERY Rows. 



The rows should be far enough apart to admit a cultivator 

 between them. It is a mistake when the rows are set less tnan 

 four feet apart, as, when after being budded, many buds are 

 knocked off by the horse or the traces rubbing against them. 

 I prefer the rows to be six feet apart. This will give ample 

 room for cultivation; and also when in digging up the trees a 

 small narrow sled can be run in to haul them to the head of 

 the rows without rubbing against the nursery stock. 



DISTANCE IN NURSERY Rows. 



Planting close together in the rows will tend to make feeble 

 and slender trees. If it is intended not to sack the trees when 

 they are to be taken up, then the plants can be set from eight 

 to twelve inches apart, and they will make strong and thrifty 

 stocks, but if it is intended to sack any of them, then it is too 

 close. They should be at least eighteen inches apart ; this will 

 give the digger enough space to take up trees between others, 

 which is generally done. As the trees do not grow even, cer- 

 tain sizes are taken up and others left to grow awhile. It also 

 has the advantage that the roots are not cut too short, which 

 is apt to be where they are planted close together. 



It is well to protect the trees in the nursery from frost 

 through the winter by building over them a frame, on top of 

 which brush is laid thickly; in this way the plants will pass 

 through the winter unharmed. In the spring, after all danger 

 of frosts are over, the brush and staging are removed. For this 

 cypress brush is mostly used. 



TRIMMING THE STOCK. 



The plants should not be trimmed until at least one year 

 after being planted ; they should be left to grow at will the first 

 year. If the plants are trimmed when too young they will 

 make slender and feeble stock. It is better to let the plants 

 grow for a year, giving them the best of care; then in the fol- 

 lowing spring, as early as possible, say in February, the plants 



