tree. The natural tendency of an orange tree is to have its 

 inside branches protected from the rays of the sun and every 

 effort should be made to maintain this condition. During 

 the formation period, any ambitious branches shooting sky- 

 ward far beyond the others, should be cut off and forced to 

 develop laterals which will gradually build the tree upwardly 

 as well as outwardly. 



Orange Tree 



three years old 



Notice the 



long leaders 



and the 



sprawling 



tendency 



of this tree. 



A well pruned orange tree should present a compact mass 

 of foliage with none of the branches exposed to view. Never 

 neglect to protect the stems of young trees, for the first two 

 years. Wrap with burlap, paper or tules, but the best and 

 most serviceable tree protector is one made of yucca fibre. 

 This allows the free circulation of air around the stem of 

 the tree. The protection of the stem prevents the develop- 

 ment of suckers and obviates the danger from sunburn, 

 while the top growth is stimulated. 



In most localities during the summer months citrus trees 

 must be irrigated every three or four weeks. In heavy 

 adobe soils every precaution should be taken not to allow 

 the water used in irrigating to touch the stem as it will cause 

 gum disease. THE ^^ 



It is generally understood that the lemon will not stand 

 as low a temperature as the orange, hence its planting for 

 commercial purposes is restricted to localities where the 

 temperature during the winter months does not go lower 

 than 24 degrees Fahrenheit above zero. The tree is a strag- 



The same tree 



severely cut back. 



The pruning 



shear 



unhesitatingly 



applied, is the 



corrective measure 



to bring this 

 tree into shape. 



29 



