THE ORANGE. 57 



wet straw in the wagon ; a large canvas, or covering, is placed 

 on the wagon to prevent the sun from drying the roots. The 

 wagon is then driven to the field, where the holes were dug 

 and prepared. The driver then hands the trees, one at a time, 

 the planter holes the trees in the hole, while his men fill it up 

 with dirt, first throwing in the moistest; the planter presses 

 the soil very lightly and goes to the next one. (It is best to 

 have plenty of help, and the work done as quickly as possible.) 

 The tree having been set, a basin is made around it and a 

 couple of buckets of water poured into the basin ; this will 

 cause the soil to settle and keep the tree fresh until water can 

 be run down the rows in furrows: I have set out several 

 orchards in this way, and have lost but few trees. An orchard 

 I set out three years ago in this way proved a great success, 

 and out of six hundred trees only one failed. 



WHEN TO PLANT. 



Citrus trees are transplanted at various seasons, preference 

 being given to one of its dormant periods, occurring during the 

 year. 



Trees transplanted in the winter, when the ground is cold, 

 will remain in it until spring without growing; therefore it is 

 better not to transplant citrus trees until the ground begins to 

 get warm. The nearer an orange tree is to starting new 

 growth, the greater its strength and root power, and this is the 

 best time for transplanting; also after they have made their 

 first growth and before starting the second time in spring. 



TOPPING THE TREES. 



When a tree is taken from the nursery the tops should be 

 cut back; the branches should be so cut that in starting Avill 

 form a fine shaped head to the stock. This is done because 

 the evaporation of the leaves is rapid, and in many cases, 

 where the long tops are left on, causes the circulation of the 

 tree to dry, and also the bark will shrivel before the roots have 

 assumed their natural functions. If the leaves commence to 

 dry, it is better they should be cut, to prevent them from com- 

 mencing to carry off the fluids of evaporation. 



