The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-08-26

shipment from the nursery by this
method of trimming the%e is little
! loss of vitality from evaporation
through the leaves, this Las only re-
Gently been done in the leading nur-
series as before a greater portion oil
the tree was left on for the planter
1 to cut back after receiving, but 81
/ few failed to cut them back moi
knowing this should be done that the
/ tree finally died from lack of proper
handling a. this is a very importarr
point we have Lad by years of ex
perience.
/ We do not recommend that olive
trees be planted until the mimddle Ct
| February as this is the starting Of
the growing season for the. WheT
received from the nursery they
should be neelod in so as to exclude
about the same as other nursery
trees, the trench to receive then
should be not less than IA inches
deep. The trees must stand in an
upright position rather than at an
angle.
Treated in this manner they will
remain in perfect condition until the
ground is in shape fox planting. As
soon as they are taken out of the
trenches and prior top lanting. all
bruised and lacerated roots should
be cut off and a new, clean cut made
on al, tie other roots. Before tax
ing out to the field, puddle the roots
in the same manner as we recon-
mended for the fig.
This particular phase of the Cpor-
alton must not be overlooked. Dig
the holes to receive the trees as rec
commended for the general run OF de
cidious fruit trees and follow the 9TH
or directions faithfully. In ease the
trees are not cut back in the nursery
when shipping do not fail to cut
them back to two feet after being
planted and shorten all lateral
branches to two inches. If there
should be no laterals, cut the trees
back anyway, for the olive will
always force out its blind buds.
Owes may be taken in the late fall
or midwinter, providing tEey are
dug with a ball of Ell "th. The trees
start more quickly than if taken up
with the naked roots and almost
perfect stand of trees is insured.
Do not make the mistake of plant
ngithe trees too closely together.
The olive tree is a gross feeder and
sends cut a mass of small surface
roots. Never plant closer than 80
feet in good soil, and 40 feet in good
rich soils, with a decidious tree BE-
tween, with a view of taking it out as
soon as the olives attain any size.
Even in localities in which there is
a bountiful rainfall the trees should
he irrigated not less than four times
in the growing season for the first
thre years of thcrr existence.
When the tree is planted it should
stand at least four inches deeper
than in the ursery rows. Allow the
trees to grow without much interior
ancc the first year, for the more Wig
orous the new growth and the more
of it, the stronger will be the root
development The first winter after
planting trim all the growth off OK
oept four or five branches close to the |
head, and have these properly lis
ributed, as they will ultimately form |
he main framework branches.
Cut off twO-thirds of their growth. |
The second winter trim the tree in |
such manner as to leave from one
o two lat2rals on the original frame
work. branches, bearing in mind that
Eese branches should have IN up
light tendency, and cut them back in
urn at least half. IN subse-
uent yaars this same method Of
aiming out and shortening in
hould be followed, and this cutting
hould be quite severe for at least
our years. The workman SHOULD
OF always prune to an outside lat
'al. but should exercise some judg- [
eE, to balance the tree by, CAUSING ,,
me branches to slope inwardly and {
rec others to have an outward c
ndency. !
This promoted sturdiness in the =
ee and a healthy uniform growth,
so broad bearing surface. many
teral fruit bearing branches, and /,
turally more fruit than an unprun-
tree, the growth of which, if not II
ecked, would consist of several
'aight, upright shoots, with all the
lit bearing branches in the top.
case a. heavy crop. these branches :,
ing without any natural braces,
lich would have developed by prun-
:, would bend over and in many II
stances break off. After numoer y
years the shearing off of the Auall .;
erals will cause many 5o-called /!
rows-nests" to form in the trees, q
d the new growth will b., rather d
ak. 1t will be at least i Years o
fore the trees will reach this stage I,
t when they do there should be no
sitancy in cutting them hack Sc r
rely and thinning vigorously. to J