34 Fruitgrowing under Irrigation 



In planting, spread out the roots evenly, giving 

 them a slanting, downward direction, fill in carefully 

 with earth, and press the ground firmly about the 

 roots. When planted the trees should stand at the 

 same depth as they stood in the nursery rows. If 

 the trees are planted with an irrigation it will not 

 be necessary to tread the ground around the roots, 

 for if the 'water is led into the hole while the plant- 

 ing takes place it will firm the earth more thor- 

 oughly than by any other means. 



In planting vines the tops are cut back to one 

 spur carrying two or three buds, and the roots 

 shortened back to two or three inches. The depth 

 of planting is the same as when in the nursery, and 

 the soil is firmed by water or treading as in the case 

 of the trees. 



PLANTING CITRUS. 



Citrus trees are generally planted along the 

 Murray Valley during the first two weeks of Sep- 

 tember. Planting during the month of May has 

 something to recommend it, as it gives the trees 

 ample time to make new roots before the hot 

 weather sets in. Trees planted in May have to 

 receive a planting irrigation, should be protected by 

 hessian or other means from the winter frosts, and 

 if the winter is dry, as is often the case, will have to 

 receive a winter watering. As the pumping plants 

 of most of the irrigation areas are not at work during 

 the winter months, the difficulty of obtaining a late 

 autumn or winter irrigation has militated against 

 the autumn planting of citrus, and makes September 

 planting the easiest and safest proposition. 



Citrus trees are received from the nursery in 

 boxes packed in earth or damp sawdust, with the 

 tops covered with hessian. If it is intended to plant 

 within a few days of their arrival, the trees, if they 



