ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 37 



in a condition suited to the rapid growth of the tree. An orange 

 tree seldom lives if removed from the nursery when the ground 

 is very dry; if it does not die, it will be a long time after trans- 

 planting before it will show signs of life. Probably more trees 

 are lost from this cause than from any other, though it may not 

 be generally known. If the ground be dry when you are ready 

 for the trees, let them alone till you have it in good order ; it 

 will pay to wait. 



When planting the trees, use the notched board described in 

 the preceding chapter. Three men, besides those required to 

 haul and distribute the trees, can be used to advantage. One 

 man places the tree in the hole, an inch or two deeper than it 

 was in the nursery. First place the board with the notches at 

 the ends snugly to the pegs on both sides of the hole, being 

 careful to place the board on the same side of the pegs that it 

 was when they were set. Set the trunk of the tree in the center 

 notch and hold the tree perpendicularly. When properly placed, 

 two men shovel in the earth, filling the hole evenly and uni- 

 formly from bottom to top ; then tread the earth firmly around 

 the tree, and the planting will be done. It will not be neces- 

 sary to look back to sight, because the tree cannot be otherwise 

 than in the right place, if the directions herein given be ob- 

 served. It is not so important to have the proposed orchard, 

 at the time of setting the trees, in so good a condition as the 

 nursery at the time of their removal from it ; yet it is desirable 

 to have the soil in good working condition. The trees should 

 be watered or irrigated as fast as planted. All leaning trees 

 should be righted up on the following day, and, when necessary, 

 the holes should be filled up again. All that will remain to do 

 will be to cultivate as soon as the ground is in proper condition, 

 then the orchard will be on the highway to success. 



It may not be out of place to say a few words in reference to 

 the tap-root. Some lay much stress on the advantage to be 

 gained by removing the entire tap-root with the tree. It is my 

 opinion that a tap-root cut from twelve to sixteen inches below 

 the surface of the ground is as good as if cut at three feet or re- 

 moved entire. I know that when the tap-root is cut at the 

 former depth, from two to five tap-roots generally form, instead 

 3* 



