86 CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 



well supplied at the time. They had to remain in the ware- 

 house, as buyers would not take them at any price. Only a 

 few boxes were sold. The grower, after waiting patiently for 

 his returns, was surprised on receiving a letter from the dealer, 

 in which he was informed that he was indebted in the sum of 

 75 cents balance for freight on the lot. 



BUDDING THE TREES. 



After going through this sad experience, the grower asked 

 my advice in the matter. I recommended that they should 

 be budded into a good marketable variety. The question was 

 then (the trees are very large buds will not take in the old 

 wood), how will you do it? 



How IT WAS DONE. 



In the early spring, as soon as the trees show signs of grow- 

 ing, I cut the main branches (some as thick as six inches 

 through), within two or three feet to the crutch of the tree- 

 all lower also several other branches were allowed to grow. 

 For if all the foliage of the tree is removed, the shock is so 

 great that the tree seldom recovers its vigor. The trunk will 

 sunburn, and in many instances the trees have been lost. 

 Very soon after numerous shoots began to put forth at the 

 end of every limb that was cut ; and when about four to six 

 inches, only those intended to remain were left. All others 

 were removed. When these shoots had attained a large enough 

 size the large branches which had been left were all removed, 

 and the sap forced into the young shoots. The fine branches 

 around the trunk, however, were allowed to remain, to prevent 

 the hot sun through the summer from scorching the bark. 

 The new shoots were then very strong and thrifty, many being 

 two inches in diameter. In the fall they were budded with 

 the Eureka lemon, and the buds allowed to remain dormant 

 through the winter. In the following spring all this brush 

 was removed, and all cuts made were covered with two coats 

 of rubber paint. The dormant buds came out beautifully. 

 Very few of the tops of the shoots were required to be re- 



