290 



THE CITRUS FRUITS 



The proper cultivation determines the success of the 

 orchard. It makes little difference whether the trees are 

 grown on irrigated land or on dry land, frequent cultivations 

 should be given to the soil. The soil should be stirred to 

 a depth of about 4 inches after each irrigation or after 

 each rain. No attempt should be made to cultivate until 

 after the soil has dried out, or until it is in the proper condi- 

 tion for cultivation. If the soil is cultivated when it is too 

 wet it will be hard and lumpy. 



Fig. 123. — Protecting a young orange tree from the hot sun. 



The tillage implement should be selected with reference 

 to the type of soil. One type of soil will require one kind 

 of a cultivator and another type of soil will need a different 

 tool. 



Planting. — The planting of a citrus tree is similar to that 

 of any other fruit tree. The general conditions concerning 

 the preparation of the soil, the digging of the holes, etc., 

 are identical to those of other fruits. 



The distance to set the trees is determined by the variety 

 as ^\vl\ as by the fertility and the character of the soil. The 

 smaller growing ^•arieties such as the Mandarin oranges and 



