HORTICULTURE 271 



conditions, but is being largely abandoned in districts where the 

 foot-rot, or gum disease, is prevalent because of its extreme sus- 

 ceptibility to this malady. It is not thought to be quite so deep rooted 

 as some other species, which would not be to its advantage in deep 

 dry soils. 



The pomelo, or grape fruit, produces exceedingly vigorous 

 growth, will probably stand more dry weather than the sweet 

 orange, and is resistant to the foot-rot disease. 



The lime has been used to a limited extent as a stock and affords 

 peculiar advantages if it is desired to grow a few oranges on rocky 

 or dry soil. 



The sour orange (Citrus aurantium amara) and the rough 

 lemon (C. limonum) have proved very popular in Florida, the 

 former for the damp soils, the latter for higher and dry soils. The. 

 rough lemon produces a more vigorous growth in the bud worked 

 upon it than even the pomelo. 



Layering. Another method of propagation, which is often 

 very convenient for use in the home garden, but which is of no 

 importance commercially, is that known as "adr layering," or 

 "Chinese layering." This consists in removing a ring of bark 

 from one of the branches, or partly severing it, and surrounding the 

 wound with moist soil until roots are formed. For this purpose 

 select a branch conveniently located and about l 1 /^ inches in 

 diameter. Remove a ring of bark about as wide as the diameter of 

 the branch. Surround about 7 or 8 inches of the branch at the 

 girdled point with soil, held in place by being bound around with 

 sacking or by a box which has been previously constructed for the 

 purpose with openings on the sides to admit the branch. The soil 

 must be kept constantly moist. When the roots have formed and 

 filled the soil cut back the top, cut off the branch below the ball of 

 soil and plant it, without removing the wrapping, if the latter be 

 sacking or any material which will decay rapidly in the soil. 



It is much simpler to practice ordinary layering by bending 

 one of the lower branches to the ground, where possible, but most of 

 the orange and other citrus trees are headed so high that this would 

 be impracticable. The only advantage of any method of layering 

 is that a few bearing trees may be produced more rapidly than by 

 planting the seed and awaiting its growth for budding. 



Removing the Trees from the Nursery. This must be done 

 with special care. They should be dug up with as little injury as 

 possible to the root system, and it is imperative that the roots be 

 kept moist until they are safely replaced in the ground. It is a 

 good practice to "puddle" the roots by dipping them in a puddle 

 of thick mud and water. "Balling" the roots of citrus trees is a 

 practice which entails some extra trouble, but the results attained 

 are often sufficient to warrant even greater expense. This consists 

 in removing each tree with a ball of soil containing the roots. To do 

 this, dig a trench 18 inches deep along one side of the row of trees 

 and about 6 inches away from them. Remove the surface soil down 

 nearly to the first lateral roots and then, with a sharp spade, cut 



