ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 17 



length of the blade, pressing backwards and forwards. This 

 will make a hole sufficiently large to receive the roots of the 

 plants without doubling or cramping them. Withdraw the tool 

 and at once insert the roots of the plant, placing them about an 

 inch deeper than they were in the seed-bed. Place the dibble 

 an [inch or two in front of the plant and press the soil firmly 

 against the root, being careful to leave no vacuum at the lower 

 end of the roots. 



After the plants are set they should be thoroughly watered ; 

 flood the ground if practicable. When the ground is in proper 

 condition, cultivate close to the plants, so as to loosen the entire 

 surface of the soil. The future cultivation will consist in keeping 

 the soil moist, free from weeds and well stirred. 



The plants should not be pruned the first year after setting. 

 Let them grow bushy and stocky ; this will develop a mass of 

 fibrous roots. Pruning should commence the next spring and 

 summer. Prune off the surplus branches, leaving the best 

 branch or leader to form the stock for the future tree. From 

 time to time, after the first pruning, thumb-prune the young 

 shoots that come out low down on the stock, keeping one or 

 two feet clear of limbs. Prune off a foot or two more of the 

 lower limbs the next year ; the trees will then have a stock or 

 body from three to four feet to the limbs. The trees will then 

 be ready for market, but they will still require constant culture 

 and attention to keep them vigorous and healthy. 



