18 



California Su^bstat Ion, "but practical vrork has not "been carTled 

 on long enoup;h to demonFstrate its real value. In this method, 

 holes arf bored vfith a post-hole auger in the 'taot'.orns oi* the. 

 regular sized tree hole, to a de^'th of fi^-e or six feet. They 

 are filled up to the point at whic>: the Tsottorn of the tree 

 rests with peat oi well prepared compost, thus affording good 

 drainage. The roots, it is thought, will follo^-r this rich 

 soil doiOTiward, and thus estalDlish a deeper root system. In 

 select in": a soil for any "post-hole" planting, it is very 

 important to reiaeifitier that young oi ange roots are easily 

 injured "i-jy alkali or strong fertilizers, and c-ire sjiould be 

 taken to avoid an injurious compost or one that prevents free 

 drainage. 



Pruning and Shaping Trees 



The tendency of young trees of several varieties of 

 oranges to assume a droopino; habit virhen making a vigorous 

 growth is due to the fact that the soft shoots are unable to 

 3upi-.ort the weight of the large, heavy leaves. The remedy 

 lies in pinching "back the shoots which will then "begin to 

 straighten up. 



Even trees that have been long in bearing will be bene- 

 fited by pinching back every branch that takes too vigorous an 

 upward growth. This pinching process is especially necessary 

 with trees from one to five years old. 



Pruning Bearing Trees, The advantage of an upright tree 

 over a drooping one is considerable when it becomes loaded 



