360 Planting Orange Trees. 
under each tree from this trench the taproot is reached, and sev- 
ered by a cut with a sharp spade. The side roots are also cut 
by thrusting the spade down on the three sides not opened by the 
trench. The top earth is carefully removed nearly down to the 
highest lateral roots, and after being sure that the roots are sev- 
ered all around, the tree is lifted out with the ball of earth which 
incloses the remaining roots. This ball is rounded off carefully 
and then placed on a half of a grain sack or other piece of bur- 
lap, 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 holding 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 the 
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 grow- 
ers cut back the young trees a little while before lifting from the 
nursery. Some take off all leaves after planting out; and claim 
that growth starts sooner and more strongly, but is doubtful 
whether defoliation is advisable, except in case of wilting, when 
it is necessary. 
Digging Holes and Setting Trees—The same considerations 
which require extra care in lifting trees for nursery, rule in plac- 
ing them in permanent place. All authorities on the subject 
specify exceptional care in preparing the tree holes as a profit- 
able investment on the part of the planter. Large and deep 
holes are commended, provided the planting is being 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 Chap- 
ter XI, and the importance of bringing the soil into frm contact 
