The herald., 1894-03-18

Many new orchards will be planted
this season and there is little doubt
that if proper care is observed both be-
fore and after planting, the venture will
be profitable one.
In the first place the choicest loca'
tions should be selected. Other things
being equal sloping land that precludea
water Logging is most desirable for an
orchard. Any land not too steep for
convenient cultivation will, il of good
quality and properly handled, make q
suitable orchard site. Wherever irrigs-
tion is required, however, the orchard
plat should not have too great an in
cline, since in the use OF irrigating water
such ground is liable to wash badly.
With properly chosen cite secured a
careful consideration Of varieties should
lead to the selection of such only
So will undoubtedly thrive in
the locality, and such as will command
market that may be proftsbly reached.
Too many varieties should not be planted
in small orchards, although il often hap
pens that a single variety of certain
kinds OF fruit will not bring the best
results. These trees which require pol
len from others in order TO produce fruit
should not be planted in masses without
jnterspersing other varieties capable of
fertilizing their blossoms. This matter
should be looked into carefully and ad-
vice taken OF some competent person
regarding specific varieties. In eelect-
ing trees for an orchard it is always beat
to 90 TO q reliable and Responsible
nuraeryman and select trees not
too large, but strong, vigorous and
well rooted, Follow such directions
in planting as the nurseryman will
gave veu, either orally or through his
catalogue. These catalogues usually
contain many valuable hints regarding
the planting and care of trees. 1t is
generally better to get trees al near
home 90 possible, for those that thrive
well ia nurseries near by, are likely to
be- adapted to the condition OF the
nsighborhecd. In any event, do not
eeud to distant points for trees unless
unable to be suited by your home
dealer. Ask your nurserymAn about
clipping tops and roots before planting;
also as to depth of planting and size of
hole for the tres. Maks the latter large
enough to prevent any doubling OF
roots. They should be carefully
Strengthened out when the tree is
put in place and the earth worked
in carefully about them. Do not expose
the roots OF the treea to the sun. Keep
them wrapped in q moist sack or straw
until removed for putting into the
ground. Do not plant too deeply; about
the same depth as the tree stood III The
nursery. In Florida. orange trees are
very often planted upon little mound
and not in hole ut all; this, too, in
land not naturally wet or even moist.
Ths sweetnese and juiciness Of Florida
oranges 10 often attributed to this fact.
Whether true or net, the tree may easily
be planted too deep for the sun TO have
its proper influence upon its life and the
quality and quantity Of its product.
Relative to ths distance apart to plant
trees in California orchards, we may cay
some difference Of opinion exists. 1t ia
quite customary to plant navel oranges
20 feet apart also most other budded
varieties of the orange, though they are
often placed "a feet apart. Seeding
oranges should not be less than "a feet
apart, and it is probable than lemon
trees ehould not bs lesE than "A feet,
though they are often planted 20 feet
apart. Olive trees may we'll follow the
rule for lemons, if planted on rich land.
1t is far better TO be liberal in the dis
tanes given to trees rather than crowd
them. All of us have seen orchards,
especially old ones, in which the tIees
were planted entirely too CLOSE to-
gether, and many such have not
proved profitable. A striking illus.
tiation Of this was noticed by us
some years ago in Florida orange or
ehGrd on the ST. Johns river. The
trees generally were planted not over 10
feet apart, and the interlRcing OF their
tops aimoet wholly excluded the sun
from the ground throughout the entire
grove OF 13 acres. The owner gave the
information that the orchard averaged
about So per tree. But there was
single tree outside of the orchard, though
in the enclosure and perhaps 80 feet
from any other tree, which, though
having the same cultivation as the
others, yielded, according to the owner,
$50 annually as an average product. He
thought it was a different variety of
fruit, but it was not. The lesson of the
single tree was valuable, however, for it
caused the removal OF one-half of the
tress in the grove, resulting in an in
creased yield of much better fruit. Re-
garding distances for California or
chards of declduous fruits We recon-
mend the following;