38 EUCALYPTS IN FLORIDA. 



should have the enveloping ball of earth still clinging to the roots. 1 

 The earth is then firmly pressed around the roots and stem, taking 

 care to keep the plant erect and not to damage the top by pinching or 

 breaking it, since this sort of injury may cause branching or even 

 death. 



In dry or sandy soil the plant should not be placed with the root 

 collar at the level of the surface, but the clump of earth taken up with 

 the plant should be placed some 3 or 4 inches below the level of the 

 soil to form a hollow for collecting and retaining the rain. On the 

 other hand, where there is an excess of moisture in the soil, the best 

 results will be obtained by planting the young seedlings on the top 

 of a small mound of earth heaped up to a height of from 12 to 18 

 inches or along the top ridge of a double furrow. 



On very wet, marshy tracts, instead of making holes, the clumps 

 of earth taken up with the plants are packed about with pieces of 

 sod. These sods should be inverted, as, for example, with green 

 marsh grass, where the vegetable decomposition furnishes nourish- 

 ment necessary to the plant and the additional height improves 

 drainage conditions. 



Where the soil is at all times wet or moist and the area is subject 

 to inundation for at least a portion of the year, as in the Everglades 

 region, such species as E. rostrata, robusta. and teretieornis should 

 be chosen. On the other hand, in localities where the soil is dry and 

 sandy and is seldom if ever flooded, such species as E. corynocalyx 

 and resinifera should be selected. Where there is danger from frosts, 

 E. viminalis, resinifera, and rostrata will prove most resistant ; 

 E. citriodora is the most sensitive to frost. 



It is well, when possible, to select rainy or at least cloudy days 

 for planting in the field, and on dry areas the trees should be occa- 

 sionally watered after planting until they become firmly established 

 in their new environment. 



Spacing. — The spacing will depend on the purpose for which the 

 trees are planted, the species, and the quality of the locality as to 

 soil and moisture. 



If planted for ornament or for a windbreak, the trees may be planted 

 from 10 to 20 feet apart in rows, with the trees of each row opposite 

 the centers of the spaces between the trees in the adjoining rows. 

 Since the trees grow tall and are usually clear of branches for some 

 distance from the ground, a pleasing effect, as well as additional 

 protection from wind, is secured by planting on the windward side 

 of the eucalypts species which branch close to the ground. 



1 Though all species are susceptible to injury from root drying, /.'. citriodora (lemon- 

 scented gum) is particularly so, and will die if the roots are exposed to the air. Sugar gum 

 (E. corynocalyx) develops a strong taproot, and is therefore more difficult to handle than 

 other species. It is not advisable to plant any of the species with naked roots. 



