SETTING THE GROVE. 251 



whose character warrants a reputation for square, honest 

 dealing. 



The best citrus tree for setting out is one having a 

 root system about three or four years old with a stocky, 

 healthy, vigorous top of one or two season's growth 

 Trees should be free from insect pests and should not 

 show signs of poor, stunted growth. Nor, on the 

 other hand, should they show evidence in long internodes* 

 and sappy, angular growth, of having been unduly forced 

 to bring them up to size. Some have thought to gain 

 time by purchasing large nursery trees, four or five years 

 old or even older, but in the end they have generally 

 found that nothing is gained and frequently much is 

 lost. If given particular care and attention, well sup- 

 plied with water and planted in a favorable season, they 

 sometimes repay the trouble, but speaking broadly, such 

 trees are a poor investment for the average planter. No 

 mistake can be made in selecting first-class trees fourf 

 to six feet high. The very best that can be secured are 

 the cheapest in the end, and poor stock is dear at any 

 price. Have nothing to do with hard, stunted stock. 



Trees on trifoliate stock are more difficult to trans- 

 plant than on other stocks and if this stock is used, the 

 purchaser should insist that the nurseryman puddle the 

 roots before shipment. The crust of mud should be 

 washed off just before planting. 



The price of citrus stock is, of course, subject to the 

 laws of supply and demand. In Florida the price varies 

 in proportion to the height of the tree. At present the price 

 of first-class nursery trees per hundred is about as fol- 



* Spaces on the branch between leaves, thorns or buds. 



t In California, nursery trees are usually sold by the diameter of 

 the bud one inch above the point of insertion. 



