1930] Praca CurTurE IN CALIFORNIA 21
Planting.—Usually the earlier the trees are planted in winter the
better. Ordinarily they can not be obtained before December and
perhaps not before January. If the trees have not opened their buds,
planting may be done as late as April. Early planting, however, is to
be preferred, unless unfavorable soil or weather conditions prevail.
A planting board may be used to keep the trees in line. One form is
a 1 x 4 inch board, 6 feet long, with notches or holes cut near each end
and a notch cut in one side midway between the ends (fie. 2). The
Fig. 2.—Planting trees by use of a planting board.
center notch is placed against the stake where the tree is to be set and
stakes are set in each of the end notches or holes. Then the planting
board and center stake are removed and the hole is dug. The hole for
the tree should be dug shortly before planting and should be suffi-
ciently large to accommodate the root system. Digging the holes and
planting the trees costs about $8.00 per acre under favorable soil and
weather conditions.
Experienced growers distribute only as many trees as can be
planted before the roots dry out too much; keep the roots covered