THE ORANGE. 55 



CUTTING OFF THE TOPS. 



It is well not to allow the strings to cut into the tree. They 

 should be watched. In the spring, as the Nursery trees swell 

 very fast, three weeks is long enough for the strings to remain 

 on them; but the tops should not be cut off then. The strings 

 should be removed, the nursery irrigated and cultivated. This 

 will force new growth, and the tops should then be cut back 

 from four to eight inches above the bud. After the bud has 

 grown about six inches or more, it is tied to the 

 stock, as shown in Figure No. 8. When the bud 

 has become stocky and able to support itself, what 

 remains of the top is cut away, as shown in Figure 

 No. 8, a. The cut should be made smooth, and 

 painted with rubber paint. This helps the wound 

 in healing over, and protects the stock from the 

 action of the atmosphere. Great care should be 

 used in the cutting of the tops; that it be done at 

 the proper time, and that they be not cut so near 

 the bud as to endanger it. I much prefer to leave a little 

 brush on the part cut, this to be removed after the buds have 

 started. 



STARTING THE BUD. 



When the stocks put forth the buds generally start also ; 

 and the suckers being very tender, are removed by hand 

 (thumb pruning), breaking at the touch. Some prefer to use 

 a sharp knife, as in many instances where they are knocked 

 off with the hand others will sprout around where they were 

 knocked off. Cutting them with a sharp knife has also the 

 advantage that no others will grow where any had been cut, 

 and the cut being made clean will give ( the , free a smooth 

 body, and as the tree grows very little sucking will be re- 

 quired. When they are removed by rubbing with the hand 

 the trunks generally become rough, and the sucking much 

 greater. 



After the buds have made a year's growth, they are ready 

 for market, although two-year old buds are more preferable. 



