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CHAPTER XL 



CULTIVATION. 



The orange will live with almost no cultivation, but it will only be 

 a sickly existence. I know no plant, shrub or tree, that will pay 

 better for good cultivation ; none, that will respond so certainly to 

 thorough cultivation. 



The ground in the grove should be kept level; the surface light 

 As far as the roots have extended the surface should not be stirred 

 deeper than three inches. The more frequently it is stirred the better. 

 Beyond the reach of the roots it is well to cultivate deep and frequently, 

 but as the roots extend themselves this area of deep cultivation should 

 be lessened. After the roots have extended themselves well over the 

 ground, the best plow to be used is the sweep. A single thirty-two 

 inch sweep, or a gang plow, the middle or front plow twenty-two inches 

 wide, and the two side plows, fourteen inches each, does excellent work. 

 It is better than the turning plow or cultivator. The sweep is much 

 more uniform in the depth of its cutting than either. It is much more 

 rapid in its work than the single plow. It is more apt to cut off the 

 weeds below the surface and destroy them, than the cultivator. With 

 such an implement, u grove free from stumps and litter is easily and 

 cheaply kept in fine condition. 



While the orange trees are young, it is of advantage to keep the 

 ground planted in garden crops peas, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, any- 

 thing that requires frequent work and will mature within a few weeks, 

 partially shading the ground. Of course nothing should be taken from 

 the ground without making adequate return in the form of manures. 

 Suitable fertilizers will be noticed in a separate chapter. 



Where the trees are planted far apart and ten or twelve years will 

 elapse before the ground will be all occupied by the orange, grapes and 

 peaches will do well and prove profitable, provided the soil is well 

 ("rained. 



At no time should the roots of grass and weeds be allowed to mat 

 themselves on land growing the orange. Not only will they draw 

 heavily upon the soil while they are growing, but when turned over the 



