632 THE ORANGE. 



nature. High lands deficient in humus should be kept stirred 

 part of the year, and during warm and rainy weather grass or 

 green crops may be allowed to grow, and then turned under 

 to furnish the vegetable mould upon which the rootlets delight 

 to feed. Except in soils where the roots strike deeply, plough- 

 ing must be shallow to avoid their mutilation. Low-lying 

 and wet lands at better not ploughed at all. Mulching and 

 an occasional superficial working over with the hoe or culti- 

 vator will keep tbe soil loose and moist, as in a state of nature. 

 Our aim should i>e to secure a steady and moderate growth, 

 slowly ripening up and hardening, which is more wholesome 

 for the tree and better enables it to bear an extreme of frost. 

 An abnormally rapid growth invites disease, insects, and 

 damage from low temperature. The orange resents too much 

 interference. "Let well enough alone," and "make haste 

 slowly," are golden rules in orange-culture. 



Pruning. Pruiwng is sometimes necessary to get rid of long 

 thorns, or to open up the inside for convenience in climbing 

 about to gather the fruit, and to admit air and light moder- 

 ately. It is well to cut off dead or sickly branches, and those 

 that chafe against each other. Trees with tall, naked trunks 

 are more readily hurt by frost and high winds ; therefore while 

 young they should be encouraged to branch out low. This 

 does not interfere much with cultivation, for the plough should 

 not be run too close, and the shade keeps down grass and 

 weeds. As the top expands and thickens, these lower branches 

 cease to be of service, and may be removed as having served 

 their turn. The best time for pruning is in spring, when dan- 

 ger of frost is less and vital forces strongest. Late in summer 

 it is more weakening, besides increasing the susceptibility to 

 cold by setting the sap in motion. There is much unneces- 

 sary pruning done. Small twigs in the shade are continually 

 dying and being succeeded by others more favorably situated. 

 In a few weeks they become brittle and drop off, like leaves 

 that have had their day. In the nursery more or less of clip- 

 ping and pinching-back is needed to favor leading-shoots and 

 bring the young trees into shape. Water-sprouts should be 

 removed before they divert and absorb the energies of large 

 trees. 



