34 ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 



Angeles county, and Riverside, in San Bernardino county, a 

 look at the orchards will dispense with the necessity of an in- 

 troduction to their owners to determine the status of their char- 

 acters as horticulturists. Neighbors "Thrifty" and "Slack" will 

 be known by the growth and the neat or slovenly appearance of 

 their orange orchards. 



I have found that May is the best month in which to trans- 

 plant. There is then no danger of frost; the windy season is 

 past ; the ground is warm, and the weather is mild, being neither 

 too hot nor too cold. There is usually more cloudy weather in 

 this month in Southern California than in any other, not ex- 

 cepting even the rainy season. February is my next choice, 

 but it has its drawbacks in the way of cold snaps, and some- 

 times windy weather in March, just at the critical time in the 

 life of the newly-planted tree. 



When trees are to be moved long distances, for instance, 

 from the nurseries of Southern California to the northern coun- 

 ties of the State, I prefer the month of February, all things con- 

 sidered, in which to move them. Occasional hot spells occur 

 in May in the northern counties, and for this reason, and this 

 alone, February is preferable. June is better than March, and 

 July is better than December or January. I have had less suc- 

 cess in the fall than at any other time. I would rather plant in 

 August than in October or November. But plant in May in 

 the Southern part of the State, and in February in the Northern 

 part, and you may reasonably hope to succeed. Even here, in 

 Southern California, I prefer the month of February in which 

 to transplant in some sheltered locations in the foot-hills. 



The holes for the trees should be dug from two and a half to 

 three feet in diameter, and the same in depth. If the soil be 

 adobe, four feet in diameter and in depth will not be too much. 

 Throw the surface soil to one side and the subsoil to the other, 

 that the surface soil may be put in the bottom of the hole when 

 the tree shall be planted and the subsoil above. 



Two methods of digging the trees are generally practiced : 

 First, to bag the roots ; and, second, to puddle the roots, or cover 

 with grout, after digging. The former method is the safer, but 

 the latter, when well done, is the better. When the trees are to 



