PLANTING LEMONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20024, 14 August 1928, Page 15

PLANTING LEMONS.

THE BEST VARIETIES. The best period in which to plant citrus fruits has practically arrived, and so a discussion of the various varieties of lemons will be opportune. There are several good kinds available nowadays and it is a more or less difficult matter to single out the best. Then again the question of the stock has to be given due consideration. Trees worked on one particular stock will do better on a certain type of soil than those worked on any other stock. Taking it for granted that a utility lemon is desired by most growers (at least as far as amateurs are concerned) the following are selected as being good varieties. First, but not necessarily the best, is the Lisbon, which has proved to be the most popular variety for years. It ha.s certainly deserved this popularity as it is excellent for household purposes, possessing plenty of juice. The Eureka is another variety which has proved itself, being similar to the Lisbon, but having a slightly thicker skin. The Meyer lemon has attracted considerable attention during the past two or three years. Tlio amazing fruiting abilities of one and two-year-old trees of this variety have evoked considerable favourable comment. It has been tested sufficiently to have proved its worth, and, indeed, it seems as though it is merely a matter of time before the Meyer becomes the popular lemon on the market. Trees worked on sour orange stock should give every satisfaction, as this stock: has an excellent root system which hold the tree firmly in position. Moreover, the roots form a nice mass of rootlets near the surface, which enables them to acquire all the food that the tree requires, and they also penetrate to a good depth thus enabling the tree to withstand the dry weather. "The sweet orange stock is used fairly largely and trees worked on it do very well. As a rule citrus trees do not like heavy soil as it is usually not too well drained, but when worked on poncirus trifoliata stock they do better. This stock, it might be mentioned, is not suitable for light soils. B'or heavy sods, however, trifoliata stock should be asked for.

It is advisable, if possible, to allow the ground two or three weeks in which to sweeten after the preparations have been completed and before the trees are planted. A spell of fine weather, such as has been experienced during the past week, will work wonders in the way of sweetening the ground. When the actual planting is being carried out do not omit to encourage the tap root by placing it in a deeper hole in the centre of that which has been made for the remaining roots. Remember, also, thatj if the tree has not a good fibrous root system, it will be necessary to strip it of some oi its leaves in order that it may recover quickly after being transplanted.