11 



CHAPTER II. 



OF THE SEVERAL METHODS OF PLANTING ORANGE GROVES 



The question is frequently asked, " Which is the best?" The several 

 methods are, 1st, the budding of the wild sour trees without moving 

 them ; 2d, .budding them first and planting afterwards in some suitable 

 location; 3d, planting the sour stumps and budding afterwards ; 4th, 

 growing the trees from sweet seed without budding; 5th, planting the 

 sweet seedling and budding either before or after removal from nurs- 

 ery ; 6th, budding on sour seedlings either before or after removal from 

 nursery, and 7th, a grove of sweet seedlings. 



Each of these plans has some advantage over the others. They 

 all have advocates; but which of all has the greatest number of 

 advantages, is questionable. I have tried them all, but, after stating 

 the advantages of each, must leave to the grower to select for himself 

 as circumstances and inclination may control. 



If one is impatient for return, let him choose the sour grove, if he 

 can find it, and bud the trees where they stand. With proper man- 

 agement he may begin to gather in two years. If he is still impatient 

 but cannot find a sour grove, let him buy the sour stumps, plant them 

 in some suitable location, and he may begin to gather fruit in three 

 years from planting. But if he can wait awhile longer for fruit with 

 the hope of getting a longer lived tree and more abundant yield, let 

 him plant younger trees, either seedlings or budded stock. If he 

 wishes an early bearer and comparatively smaller tree, he can select 

 the sour seedling budded. If a larger but later bearer, he can select 

 the sweet seedling budded. If he wishes an abundant yield and the 

 largest trees, and can wait a longer time, the sweet seedling, uiibudded r 

 will suit. With good treatment such trees will begin to yield in eight 

 years, and, after a longer time, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, 

 give him a fair quality of fruit; but perhaps he will have as many 

 varieties or sub-varieties as trees in his grove. The sour stock for a 

 few years grows more rapidly, but will finally make a smaller tree 

 than the sweet. The best quality of fruit can be insured only by bud-J 

 ding from the best varieties. 



