232 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



P. J. Wester writes as follows regarding the planting and care 

 of papayas : 



"When the plants have attained a height of about 3 to 4 inches, 

 they are ready to be transplanted to the place where they are intended 

 to grow. 



"Unless the transplanting has been preceded by a good rain, the 

 plants should be thoroughly watered before they are removed from the 

 seed-bed. In order to reduce the evaporation of water from the plants 

 until they are well established in their new quarters, about three- 

 fourths of the leafblades should be trimmed off. 



"In transplanting, take up the plants with so large a ball of earth 

 that as few roots are cut or disturbed as possible. Do not set out 

 the young plant deeper in the new place than it grew in the nursery ; 

 firm the soil well around the roots, making a slight depression around 

 the plant, and water it thoroughly. 



" In order to protect the tender plant from the sun until it is estab- 

 lished, it is well to place around it a few leafy twigs at the time of 

 planting. It is well to set out three plants to each hill, and as the 

 plants grow up and fruit, to dig out the males or the two poorest 

 fruiting plants. 



"If the plants cannot be set out in the field at the time indicated, 

 transplant them from the seed-bed to a nursery, setting out the plants 

 about 8 to 12 inches apart in rows a yard apart, or more, to suit the 

 convenience of the planter. While the best plan is to set out the plants 

 in the field before they are more than 12 inches tall, the plants may be 

 transplanted to the field from the nursery with safety after they are 

 more than 5 feet high, provided that all except young and tender leaf- 

 blades are removed, leaving the entire petiole, or leafstalk, attached 

 to the plant; if the petiole be cut close to the main stem, decay 

 rapidly enters it. If the entire petiole is left it withers and drops and 

 a good leaf scar has formed before the fungi have had time to work 

 their way from the petiole into the stem of the plant. 



"When a plant has grown so tall that it is difficult to gather the 

 fruit, which also at this time grows small, cut off the trunk about 

 30 inches above the ground. A number of buds will then sprout from 

 the stump, and will form several trunks that will bear fruit like the 

 mother-plant in a short time. These sprouts, except two or three, 

 should be cut off, for if all are permitted to grow the fruit produced 

 will be small." 



When first set out in the field, the young plants should be 

 watered every day or two ; after a few weeks have elapsed and 

 they have become established, waterings may be less frequent. 



