CHAPTER IX. 



Cultivation, 



If the cultivation of the orchard be but partially and imper- 

 fectly done, only a partial success will be possible. The soil 

 must be kept mellow and clean at all times. The cultivation 

 should be such as will leave the ground as nearly level as prac- 

 ticable, except in the fall just before the commencement of the 

 rainy season. The ground should be plowed at this time with 

 a turning plow, turning the soil to the trees; harrow down 

 smooth ; the trees will then be left standing on a slight eleva- 

 tion, and the winter rains will be drawn from them to the dead 

 furrow in the center of the spaces between the rows, thereby 

 preventing an excess of moisture at the roots. The ground is 

 cold in winter, and it is detrimental to the health and growth 

 of the tree to allow water to stand near the trees to injure the 

 roots. An orange tree will not flourish in this climate when the 

 roots stand in soil filled with water. 



Land that is liable to be washed by heavy rains should be 

 plowed crosswise just before the commencement of the rainy 

 season, and left rough, to prevent washing. 



The best implement for general cultivation is a horse-hoe, an 

 Acme cultivator, clod crusher and leveler, or a spring-toothed 

 or chisel-toothed cultivator, or some other implement that will 

 thoroughly pulverize the soil and destroy the weeds. Care 

 must be used to cultivate the ground close to and around the 

 trunks of the trees as well as between the rows. This can be 

 easily done with the implements referred to in the hands of a 

 skillful operator, and no other kind of a workman should be 

 allowed to work in an orchard. An inexperienced or careless 

 hand will generally do more damage to the trees in one day's 



