

PRUNING THE ORANGE 



445 



Great care must be taken that transplanted orange trees do 

 not become dry after planting. The methods of irrigation are 

 described in Chapter XV. Good cultivation should also attend 

 the orange from its first planting onward. This subject is fully 

 discussed in Chapter XIII. 



PRUNING THE ORANGE 



All the considerations urged in Chapter XII in favor of low- 

 headed and strongly-branched trees apply to the orange, though 

 the habit of the tree in growth and bearing requires different 

 pruning policies. The orange tree is more disposed naturally to 

 assume a good form than most other trees, and for this reason 

 most experienced growers declare their belief in pruning as little 

 as possible. This is unquestionably good policy providing atten- 

 tion enough is given to securing a shapely and convenient tree, 



Fig. 2. Branch form of orange before 

 removing lower branches. 



and TO overcome the tendency in the young tree to run out very 

 long shoots which result in unsymmetrical shoulders with hollows 

 beneath them and obviate a weeping habit, which interferes with 

 irrigation and cultivation and prevents the development of good 

 bearing space above. It is so easy to bring the orange tree into 

 good form by a little hard thinking about what shape is desirable 

 and a little timely cutting and pinching' to secure it. 



