62 



ORANGE CULTUEE. 



a pointed stick, make a hole in the middle of the mound for the 

 tap-root, and just here is an important item. 



The tap-root — it does no harm if it is cut partially away — 

 should rest in the hole thus prepared for it, to such a depth as 

 will bring the top lateral roots of the tree about an inch above 

 the ground after the soil is all filled in around the tree. 



Too much caution cannot be exercised about this, for if the 

 tree is set too deep, it wdll be a long while, perhaps years, before 

 it wdll flourish, for it will be compelled to send out fresh surface 

 roots to take the place of those so carelessly smothered from the 

 air and warmth by too deep planting. 



Remember that freshly plowed land is always raised several 

 inches above its general level, and also that trees always settle 

 after being planted from one to tw^o inches, according to their 

 weight. Therefore, let the u^^per roots, where they stand out 

 from the stem, be in full view after your work is done, then you 

 are assured it is well done. 



Before the tree is placed in the hole, trim off with a sharp 

 knife all the bruised or broken roots and cut back the tree 

 severely, then push the tap-root down into the hole prepared for 

 it, pack the top earth you have thrown out around it, spread 

 out the lower layer of lateral and fibrous roots, holding out of 

 the w^ay the upper roots, pack down the soil firmly on them with 

 your hands, spread out the upper layers and pack the earth 

 firmly on them with your feet, pour on a half pail of water, when 

 that has had time to settle, spread the sub-soil around the tree 

 and level off the ground, and that completes the operation. 



A day or two after the trees are set out, examine them and 

 see if any of them need straightening, also if any of the holes 

 need more filling. Trees should be pruned a week or two before 

 removal from the nursery to enable them to recover from the 

 shock that is always attendant upon severe pruning. For at 

 least several months after planting the trees should be mulched, 

 in order to prevent the possibility of the upper rootlets becoming 

 dry before they have had time to establish themselves in their 

 new quarters. 



We may have seemed tedious and unnecessarily minute in 



