17 



The advantage claiiaed for the Reed method is that it 

 retains the top of the tree, and makes use of it iiarnediately. 

 This retention of nearly all the leaves and Ijranches ena"bles 

 trees unde > jiroper conditions to produce a inuch ruore vigorous 

 growth than under the ordinary system of severe pruning, when 

 moved from the nursery. The loest of care is essential to 

 success in this method. If trees are to receive poor or only 

 ordinary treatment after lae ing set in the orchard, the common 

 method of severe pruning is best. Jlr , Reed himself prunes 

 "back any trees that show lack of vigor after Trjeinj^ transplanted, 

 watered, and fertilized. 



The good start given to trees Tjy the Reed method is shown 

 in their size, vigor, and prod^^ct iveness for an indefinite 

 time, and it is also claimed that a crop of oranges is o"btained, 

 without injury to the trees, one year earlier than if they were 

 planted loy the usual method. Trees thus plajited (on the Reed 

 system) produced over one hundred "boxes of oranges per tree 

 three yenrB from the time of planting. Ten acres of trees 

 five years old produced 2,500 'boxes. There was no appreci- 

 a"ble injury done the young trees on account of the early 

 "bearing, for they contimzed to make a sturdy growth while 

 maturing the crop of Truit. Trees planted in the usual way 

 one year before, on adjoining land that is similar in character, 

 although receiving good care from the start, were not as large 

 as those of Mr. Reed, thoup^h apparently thrifty, 



(S) The "Post-hole" Method. There is another new system 

 of planting orange trees that is being used at the Southern 



