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which being doubled gives the diameter of the circular space whose cir- 

 cumference will mark the limits needed by each tree, moreover, this 

 operation repeated on several individuals of average growth will give a 

 mean area of the several measured spaces, and hence the average room 

 required by each plant under the same or similar conditions. The next 

 object of the grower or proprietor is to encompass that economy of space 

 which is compatible with the unimpeded development of the tree. 

 These two objects are more or less conciliated and obtained by the adop- 

 tion of the lozenge or rhomboid system instead of the square. 



The lie or direction of the base-line, whence the planting-holes 

 are marked off with pegs, ought to be, as far as possible, north and 

 south, that is in the direction of the meridian of the place, which is 

 easily ascertained by Sicilian proprietors by the simple and primitive 

 but sufficiently accurate method of planting a stake in the ground up- 

 right, and laying out the base-line in the direction of the shadow pro- 

 jected at noon by the upright stake. The object of this arrangement 

 is, as I have already stated, to ensure an equable distribution of sun- 

 shine for all the trees of the orange or lemon grove, and hence the 

 timely and synchronous maturation of the fruit. In exposed situations 

 the sapling requires propping during the first year, and are then, or 

 should, be cultivated " a basso fusto," that is, their upward growth is 

 restricted by judicious pollarding, which compels the trees to develop 

 laterally, in an inverse ratio to the height ; this forced deviation of the 

 tree from its natural tendency, should only be permitted on those occa- 

 sions when the proprietor having only the choice between two evils, 

 naturally prefers the lesser of the two, viz., when he has to choose be- 

 tween the perchance total loss of the crops of a plantation situated on a 

 bleak exposed spot, or its partial preservation by reducing the height of 

 the tree, and proportionately increasing its expansion in width. The 

 stability of the trees is moreover secured with barriers of thickly- 

 planted canes or quickest hedges. Apart, however, from the danger- 

 ous effects of violent winds on trees in exceptionally exposed situations, 

 effects which only in these rare cases can neutralise the benefits accru- 

 ing from the free development of the plant, these are so well known 

 and of such importance, that growers should prefer always in doubtful 

 cases to let their trees attain their proper height, which alone can pro- 

 cure them that continuous sunshine and relative exemption from di- 

 sease, which attacks far more readily the lower limbs than it does the 

 upper. 



After the plantation has been laid out, the soil dug and sufficiently 

 dressed, and well irrigated, the chief labours cease until the ensuing 

 spring, when, during the months of March and April, according to the 

 more or less dryness of the season, the ground is broken afresh, and 

 disposed in furrows for the reception of the water of the coming 

 summer irrigations. The nascent plantation may be, however, aug- 

 mented during the winter months, either by the addition of new sap- 

 lings, or even through the adjunction of the stumps of full grown old 

 trees, which have either been torn up and carried away by floods, or 

 finally uprooted purposely on account of some premature and progres- 

 sive decay. These stumps are first of all deprived of their branches, 

 after which they are besides well pared and buried to the depth of from 

 six to eight feet ; on the advent of spring the interred stumps give forth 



