The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-02-23

feet from the sun. which burns Inc
tender growth, make lattice ol
common lath, nailed Oh frames, TWO
inches apart, and place around anu
over the bed. This will break tne
force OF the suns rays sufficiently 70
prevent injury, and yet not too much
10 prevent termination and growth
of the seed. It also prevents LOO
rapid evaporation and hardening o
the soil. Soon as the young trees
have become sufficiently hardy TO en-
dure outside exposure, say SIX montns
old, they should be removed to tne
orchard where they are to remain
permanently, always being partlcu'
lar to remove them during the warm
dry season say from May to octo,
Der. In selecting location and SOIL
for the orchard, care should be taken
that it be neither too wet nor too
dry. Many OF the valleys among the
foothills are preferred for the pro,
lection they afford from winds, ana
the peculiar adoption of their SOIL 10
citrus growth.
In preparing the ground to receive
the trees, deep drainage will be
needed where the subsoil is too re-
tentive of water, as in some OF these
rich valleys already subjected to ex-
pertinent. Deep blowing and tho
rough cultivation should follow. Inc
young trees should now be planted
forty feet apart for permanent or
chard, with others between the rows
twenty feet apart, for budding, at
proper age. For some reason not
yet ascertained, the trees grow slow
the first two years, sending up hume
rous branches from near the ground,
to the height of twelve to eighteen
inches. The third years growth is
more vigorous, usually starting from
the short trunk, it shoots up through
the old branches, and grows to the
height of from four to six feet. Some
times several start up at once, form
ing bush it not checked or re-
moved. The pruning should be de-
cisive and thorough. All the old
growths should be cut away, and
only one stock left. This should be
encouraged in forming head at
three and half or four feet from the
ground. At five years OF age some
Of the budded trees should begin 10
fruit, while the seedlings will con,
tinue to grow until eight or nine
years old before fruiting to.any great
extent. But at fifteen years the
soad liags a&easaia lon pe4ad ncA .twd 2or
three times as much as the same MIN
Der Of budded trees. Thornless
trees are preferred for windy locali-
ties, but the absence OF thorns is
evidence OF effeminacy. Citrus trees
are subject 10 diseases and the
ravages of insects. That which is
most fatal, and which may be the
parent of others, is called "gum
disease" 1t is more destructive to
lime and lemon than to orange trees,
but is sufficiently SO to the last to
demand earnest investigation. The
first indication OF disease is the exu.
dation OF gum from the trunk, near
the ground. In digging trench
four feet deep, to reach the lower ex-
tremity OF the tap root OF an effected
orange tree, it was found quite de-
cayed, and parted at the touch. All
the Lateral roots We're dead, save the
pair nearest the surface of the ground.
they seemed to have commenced
dying below, and gradually extended
upward. Ghis indicates something
poisonous in the subsoil, which,
though late in the dry season, was
Wet and adhered to the spade. Tho
Rough drainage, to dry the subsoil
might prove to be the remedy
needed.
An experiment is now progressing
that may overcome the gum disease
1t is using the shaddock as stock on
which to bud the lemon. 1t is more
hardy and vigorous than any of the
citrus family. What effect it will
have on the fruit cannot be deter
mlded until some of the trees pro.
duce, which bids fair to be within
the present year."