The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-01-14
o711r7asal Devoted to 5state Interegt@
DeIand Yousia County, Fod Wednesday January d. 1890

4
The Citron, Shaddock, Bergamot.
and other species of the genus are
not cultivated to any extent in Flor.
ida. In other countries they have a
commercial value, and it is possible
that their culture may be extended
in this State. aH55sd1 .iraNlf)
EsJza ,noD DISTANCE APART. "
The distance between the tops of
mature fruit trees, according to a
good rule, should be one.third
their diameter. The average attain
great age and size. Under the
most favorable circumstances it will
attain, in time, diameter Of forty
feet. Few can afford to plant their
trees at such distance, and its ad.
visibility is questionable. Sweet
Seedlings grow larger than budded
trees, and budded trees on sweet
stocks than those on sour. Sweet
seedlings should be set thirty feet,
apart !; budded trees on sweet stocks.
twenty-five feet, and on sour, twenty
feet apart. Trees can be set
much closer in garden, culture, where
root pruning is periodically prac.
ticed, or where dwarf trees are used.
More trees can be set on an acre
at the same distance according to the
diamond or quincunx, plan than in
squares. Some set their trees much
closer than usual by the former meth
cd, intending to remove every other
row. when they become too thick,
thus leaving them further apart in
squares. Few, however, will sacrii-
flee bearing trees, even for the vel
fare of the remainder The best
method for laying off the ground is
to place stakes at proper distances
across the sides and ends of the
space to be set with trees, then TO
drive a stake at all the points where
the lines from these stakes intersect.
PLANTING.
In It's .ncssnal condition the large
brace roots Of the orange tree are ex.
posed above the ground at the collar
Deep planting is prolific source Of
disease, and, if the tree survives,
there is little prospect of It's ever be.
coming vigorous. This occasions
more of loss and failure in orange
culture than all! other causes com.
bined. After the trees have been set
out they will settle several inches,
and should therefore be raised three
or four inches above the surface, even
on the highest land. On low land
they should be raised even higher
and it is good plan to place the
trees on a ridge sloping down gradu.
ally to a water furrow in the center
of the row. The place for each tree
should be prepared before they are
taken from the nursery, and fertilizer
thoroughly mixed with the soil, if it
is to be applied before the tree,i is
planted. In our practice we never
dig hole for a tree, but thoroughly
pulverize the soil and spread the
lateral roots above the surface; when
the trees have settled they remain
but little if any above their former
level. Before planting the broken
roots should be removed with a
sharp knife, and the branches cut
back fully half their length. Imme-
diately before putting the trees in
the ground it is well to dip their
roots in thin mud made of rich soil.
The earth should be pressed care
fully and firmly about the roots with
the hand, giving them, as nearly as
possible, their former position. The
use OF water while planting binders
the operation, but if the ground is
dry, should be plentifully applied
when the work is finished. II is bet
ter to selectsa cool, wet time than to
depend on watering. Trees from
the nursery should be aheeled inn
when received, and planted out at
leisure. In the winter they win re.
main safely in this condition for sew
eral weeks. 2'g Boa .i4f1F
sE2Ns N8i9i MULCHING. l9n8 ajs
Whether the season be wet or drv
the trees should be well mulched
at the time of planting. This Is Al.
ways benefit to newly planted trees.
and IN dry seasons, serves to keep
the ground moist and the trees fresh
until they are firmly established.
Grass, leaves or other light litter
makes the best mulch. Nothing