112 



The Citrus* 



TJte Oranijc and Mandarin. — On planting, the ti'ees are cut back, Figure 

 135 showing a good liealthy tree from the nursery and Figure 136 

 the sanre tree pruned, therefore they must be reshaped again at the 

 first pruning, but much can be done by going over the trees during 

 tlie summer, for by nipping or rubbing off shoots tlie growth can be 

 directed into the rec^uired channels, and a shapelji- tree grown without any 

 waste of energy or wood-growth. The stems of young citrus trees should always- 

 be protected from the sun and hot winds, and the strawsheaves from bottles split, 

 down and wrap]ied around the main stem are most suitable for this purpose. 



Fig. 1.3.-5. 



A young Orange tii'e 



from nursery. 



Pig. 136. 



ShoAving how the tree should 



be pruned when planted. 



The young tree will throw a mass of growth down the main stem, as well as 

 at the top, and this growth sliould be either nipped back or rubbed off, leaving 

 only those shoots required to form the future main arms of the tree. Choose 

 three or, at the most fovu', well-placed shoots for this purpose, starting at different 

 places on the main stem, the lowest of which should be 18 inches from the ground. 

 The small growth up the main stem, if this is not protected, should not be rubbed 

 off, but nip23ed back, because the leaves ■will afford protection to the unprotected 

 main stem. 



The same attention to permitting the free entry of air and light must be 

 observed with the citrus family as with the deciduous trees if they are to be kept 

 healthy, prodxictive, and free from disease. 



