THE ACID LIME FRUIT IN HAWAII. 



9 



PLANTING. 



The lime tree, either seedling or grafted stock, should be at least 

 a year old before it is transplanted to its permanent location. It 

 should be carefully removed from the container with the ball of 

 earth adhering to the roots so that the root system will be injured 

 as little as possible. This can easily be done by inverting the pot 

 and tapping it gently against some solid body. The plant can easily 

 be slipped from the container if the soil is slightly moistened some 

 hours before being taken to the field. If the trees are grown in tin 

 cans tin-cutting shears may be used to open one side of the container 

 to release the roots without injury. 



The tree should have an open area of at least 8 feet across and be 

 away from large trees which might shade it and from such vigorous 

 plant growth as would contend with it for food. It should be set in 

 a hole dug fully 2 feet deep with a diameter of 2 feet, be sheltered 

 from strong winds, and be exposed to direct sunlight. Before the 

 tree is planted the hole should be partly filled with loose surface 

 soil which has been enriched with several shovelfuls of well-rotted 

 farm manure. Once the tree is in place the mass of soil adhering to 

 the roots should be loosened a trifle. The roots that have started 

 to grow in a circle should be straightened so that they will grow in 

 an outward direction. Soil should then be filled in against that 

 surrounding the roots and pressed down. 



The soil immediately surrounding the tree should be several inches 

 lower than the natural surface to form a slight basin which will 

 hold water until the tree has had ample time to settle. After being 

 planted the tree should be given a thorough watering to induce 

 capillary action of the moisture in the soil. It should then be left 

 alone for several days and after that watered once a week or once in 

 every two weeks. Daily watering is detrimental to growth. 



When it is properly planted the tree should stand straight and 

 firm or, if it is exposed to the wind, it should lean slightly toward 

 the direction whence the prevailing wind blows so that it will be 

 able to make a perfectly erect growth when influenced by the wind. 

 The ground immediately surrounding the tree should be kept free 

 from grass, weeds, and shrubbery which would utilize the plant food 

 needed by the lime tree, and the soil should occasionally be stirred 

 to facilitate the release of plant food and keep it sweet. 



Seedling trees do not need to be supported with a stake during 

 the first year or two as do other kinds of trees. Grafted trees, how- 

 ever, should be supported and protected with a stake. The only 

 pruning necessary is the removal of dead wood and stray branches 

 which might hinder development. 



In orchard planting small lime trees should be set in rows about 

 15 feet apart each way. This will permit of the growing of 193 

 trees to the acre. If planted so that the trees in one row 1 come 

 opposite the center of the spaces in adjoining rows a greater number 

 can be grown in a given space. 



Young trees may be set in hedge formation and developed into a 

 wide fence. Such a dense row will be invaluable not only as a fence 

 but also for the production of a large quantity of fruit from a small 

 area. 



