12 



such as to allow the roots free passage. A layer of im- 

 pervious rock or hardpan within six to ten feet of the 

 surface is detrimental in all cases. The trees do not 

 usually show the effect of such before six to ten years 

 old, but sooner or later there v\ ill be troubles of various 

 kinds which can not readily be remedied. The same may 

 be said of water. It is not safe to plant citrus trees on 

 land in which the water stands within 6 to 10 feet of 

 the surface for any length of time. The most desirable 

 for citrus fruits is a sandy loam, containing a fair 

 amount of humus. A very sandy soil is less desirable 

 because it does not retain moisture so well and fertilizers 

 leach through it too readily. A heavy clay soil is un- 

 desirable because it retains too much water when wet, 

 and in dry weather it becomes too dry, and cracks open 

 unless it is cultivated constantly. 



Water is a very important factor and the following 

 points should be considered : The record of rainfall, not 

 alone the annual, tout the monthly and the weekly as 

 well, should be looked up. In that way it will be possible 

 to determine whether irrigation will be needed or not, 

 and to what extent, also to what extent draining and 

 ditching will be needed for carrying off surplus water. 

 In case irrigation is needed it is well to find out if water 

 can be obtained in large enough quantity without great 

 expense. 



Transportation or rather the absence of transportation, 

 is the one great drawback in many" places. After the 

 production becomes large enough transportation always 

 follows, but frequently the pioneers fail because tran- 

 sportation is too costly. Ocean freight is fairly cheap, 

 but railroad freight is as a rule high in the West Indies. 



