PLANTING ORANGE TREES 



443 



earth is carefully removed nearly down to the highest lateral roots, 

 and after being sure that the roots are severed all around, the 

 tree is lifted out with the ball of earth which encloses the remain- 

 ing roots. This ball is rounded off carefully and then placed 

 on a half of a grain sack or other piece of burlap, the corners of 

 which are drawn up and tied around the stem of the tree with 

 baling rope. It is also an additional surety of safety to allow 

 the baling rope to run under and around the ball to aid in hold- 

 ing it together. The balled trees must be carefully handled so 

 as not to break the ball, which would result in tearing to pieces, 

 as well as exposing, the roots. 



The manner of handling the trees depends somewhat upon 

 the character of the nursery soil. Successful balling of course 

 requires a certain amount of adhesiveness in the soil. 



One can not be too careful in the handling of orange trees. 

 Though they will stand harsh treatment when in permanent 

 place, they must be most carefully transplanted. Lifting from 

 the nursery when the soil is too dry, exposure of the roots, or 

 careless planting, will consign the tree to a slow, sickly growth, 

 and often kill it outright. 



Cutting Back at Transplanting. The rule of reducing Ihe 

 top to compensate for the loss of roots, is vital in moving orange 

 trees, but sometimes cutting back is carried too far" and subse- 

 quent growth is checked rather than promoted. Some growers 

 cut back the young trees a little while before lifting them from 

 the nursery. Some take off all leaves after planting out, and 

 claim that growth starts sooner and more strongly, but it is 

 doubtful whether defoliation is advisable, except in case of wilting, 

 when it is necessary. 



Digging Holes and Setting Trees. The same considera- 

 tions which require extra care in lifting trees for nursery, rule 

 in putting them in permanent place. All authorities on the sub- 

 ject specify exceptional care in preparing the tree holes as a 

 profitable investment on the part of the planter. Large and 

 deep holes are commended, provided the planting is done in a 

 deep, free soil. Deep holes would be more injurious than bene- 

 ficial in a tight subsoil, unless drainage were furnished, but there 

 are good orange trees now bearing in such places good enough 

 at least to be an ornament and acceptable fruit producers for 

 family use. 



On large-scale planting in deeply prepared soil, holes large 

 enough to allow good spreading of the roots are sufficient. 

 Handling the soil at planting has been fully described in Chaptei 

 XI, and the importance of bringing the soil into firm contact 

 with the roots has been urged. The use of water in planting 

 citrus fruit trees is especially desirable. Transplanting should 



