2l6 ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 



depth desired to plant, say from twelve to fifteen inches, and a 

 man following and placing the cuttings. Many persons plant 

 much deeper, but I think it is a mistaken idea. Their theory is 

 the deeper, the more moisture; but I think it will be found that 

 when your soil is dry twelve inches, it is dry altogether, and 

 with proper cultivation it will not be dry, no matter how little 

 water you may have had. The most natural way for a cutting 

 to throw out roots is at the bottom, especially if it has been cut 

 smooth just below a bud. To enable it to throw out roots, how- 

 ever, at the bottom, it must not be planted so deep as to be out 

 of the influence of air and warmth. This is why twelve or fif- 

 teen inches is better than a greater depth. 



If you are planting without irrigation, then much the best way 

 is to pour a quart of water in each hole, and have some one fol- 

 low with a crowbar and immediately close the hole, which is 

 done by forcing the bar down about three inches from the cutting 

 to the full depth of the hole containing it, and working the bar 

 backwards and forwards in the direction of the cutting. In this 

 way the ground is pressed around the cuttings the whole length 

 of that portion which is under ground. Upon careful attention 

 to this apparently trifling matter the growth of your cuttings de- 

 pends, for if the holes are filled or closed at the top only, the 

 bottom of the cutting will become mildewed and decay. 



If planting is done by irrigating while planting, making the 

 water do the filling of the holes, so much the better, although 

 the first way is good enough if care is exercised ; and even when 

 irrigating it is much safer to have a man follow with the crowbar 

 and probe around each cutting as the water runs, and make sure 

 that each hole is filled with earth. 



HOW TO TAKE CARE OF GRAPE CUTTINGS BEFORE PLANTING. 



The best way, whether grape cuttings are to be planted as 

 soon as received or to be kept some time, is to submerge them 

 entirely in water and keep them there for twenty-four hours at 

 least, and as much longer as it is desired to keep them; even if 

 kept submerged for two months it will do no harm, and proba- 

 bly be a benefit. The next best way to keep them is to bury 

 them entirely, or four-fifths their entire length. Care should be 

 taken not to place them in large masses without earth between 

 them, for in that case, those cuttings which have no earth in 

 contact with them will mold, and this mold is the forerunner 

 of decay and death. When to be kept for any length of time, 

 then it would be best to place them in such a manner that 

 earth will come in contact with every part of the cutting which 

 is underground. Then, again, care should be taken to see that 

 the earth is wet and kept so, for if it is as dry or dryer than the 

 cutting, it will absorb the moisture from the cutting until the 



