60 



ROEDING'S FRUIT GROWERS' GUIDE 



The method of protecting a young citrus tree from being 

 damaged by frost. In the spring, as soon as there is a 

 change in the weather, the tule or corn stalk covering 

 should be pulled apart so as to permit the air to circulate 

 through the trees and later be taken off altogether. 



particularly in sections lying between the low range 

 of hills and the mountains to the east. That the Japan- 

 ese current has a very decided influence on the climate 

 and that the low-lying hills, in a way, pocket the air, 

 there can be no question. That vegetation is influenced 

 by these conditions in the southern part of the state 

 is evidenced by the fact that roses are in bloom practi- 

 cally all winter, that the young growth of lemons and 

 oranges is very much in evidence, and that even tender 

 palms like Kentias thrive outside with partial protec- 

 tion, all of which goes to prove the equableness of the 

 climate. It is largely due to this condition that 

 lemon culture has so many advantages over the 

 great interior valleys, for here there is a chill in the 

 atmosphere causing deciduous trees to go into early 

 dormancy, and no young growth is ever noticed on 

 citrus trees. Lemons are very profitable in the 

 southern counties because they are frequently in full 

 bloom in the dead of winter, thus producing an 

 abundant crop in the summer months when lemons 

 are in the greatest demand. Santa Barbara, pos- 

 sibly more than any other county, exemplifies this 

 tropical climate, particularly so where the foothills 

 rise up rather abruptly from the coast line. Here 

 palms of the very tenderest character, which could 

 only be grown in greenhouses with heat, in the 

 region north of the Tehachapi, thrive and luxuriate 

 without any protection. Oranges produce larger 

 crops in the southern part of the state than in the 

 interior valleys, but in quality they are inferior to 

 the valley-grown fruit, grown along the foothills in 

 either the red or black dry bog soils. Oranges ripen 

 from four to six weeks later in the southern counties 



than they do in the more northerly sections. The early 

 fruit invariably brings the highest prices, and as the 

 Washington Navels in the valley districts are all har- 

 vested before any severe cold weather occurs, it has 

 advantages worthy of consideration. I regard it as a 

 grave mistake to plant the Valencia Late in any other 

 location than the foot-hills, because this orange is 

 never ready for shipment until April. I have seen 

 entire crops ruined by cold weather during the winter 

 months. There are very few soils in California where 

 the citrus trees will not thrive. Even in hardpan they 

 do well if the ground is blasted. Never plant in alkali 

 soils. 



SELECTING THE TREES 



It costs more to grow a citrus tree than any other 

 variety of fruit. The bud, after it has made a growth 

 of a foot, must be staked, and to produce a straight 

 tree the young shoot must be tied every two inches with 

 raffia. Suckers must be kept off. When the tree has 

 reached a height of three feet it is headed back to 

 twenty-six inches; this causes it to send out laterals, 

 and it is at this point where the head of the tree is 

 formed. Whether to plant balled or naked root trees 

 is a matter that should receive consideration. Balled 

 trees are far safer than trees taken up with naked or 

 open roots, for they may be placed under cover, the 

 balls being placed in shavings, and if dampened occa- 

 sionally they will keep in good condition for several 

 months. It is, of course, practical to handle trees with 

 naked roots providing certain fundamentals are ob- 

 served. Before taking up such trees, it is necessary 

 to cut the tap root at least eighteen inches below 

 the surface and defoliate the trees. The effect of 

 this treatment causes the tree to become dormant. 

 Within a short time the buds begin to swell, indicat- 

 ing that the tree has recovered from the shock of 

 cutting the tap root and defoliating, when it may 

 be dug up. Great care must, be exercised not to 

 expose the roots to the sun. They are packed in damp 

 moss for shipment. Before using the moss it is first 



four-year-old Eureka Lemon tree in the great lemon section 

 of La Habra, Orange County, California, taken in December 

 when the tree had blossoms and fruit in all stages of develop- 

 ment and with mature fruit ready to gather. 



