a ae 3@9 Oe Moyes Ornell Universit ulture of the citrus in California. OCULTURE OF THE CITRUS IN CALIFORNIA, RESEARCH BY B. M. LELONG, Assisted by Experienced Horticulturists. REVISED BY STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. SACRAMENTO: A. J. JOHNSTON : : : SUPERINTENDENT STATE PRINTING. 1902. CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE ELLWOOD COOPER..--.-.---- President...-....---..--------Santa Barbara Commissioner for the Los Angeles District. PRANK A. BUCK 22. 2scseesees VieesPresidente2.1t sce Agee Vacaville Commissioner for the Napa District. Bi. WEUNSTOCK . caccceesncnnes LIMORUIOR oc mccc nectar ceccsneenee Sacramento Commissioner for the Sacramento District. RUSS Ds STHPHENSte 22. qs sAMditioreces. 22s yeaah oe Sacramento Commissioner for the State at Large. Mili: 2D EAN DEG 2 Soe ie te ee ee es te a oe ech ey cahiverside Commissioner for the State at Large. THOMAS UA. AU NIDW RG: sees pies eee o bees ce hee seeks osacens akeeee Sonora Commissioner for the El Dorado District. gel EHS HIN Sr ee ate eee ee tea het Ry ht Ee Fresno Commissioner for the San Joaquin District. (As TB A OIAIS Hse en. Yee net ee ee he ahh eS Santa Clara Commissioner for the San Francisco District. Wards ROT GU ERG S So era somes a eee tak eee yee ee eee see oot Healdsburg Commissioner for the Sonoma District. . \ dives TB QUAN. 2 anh) soele Seats ie ie ees noone ss eae Secretary Office: State Capitol, Sacramento. ALEXANDER CRAW _._--_.--.-- -- Quarantine Officer and Entomologist Office: Clay Street Dock, San Francisco. GUE RU DBA BIER D sas ca 58 ton. Gc ce ae oe ooo fete ab se OSE OFFICES: State Capitol, Sacramento. Branch Office, Clay Street Dock, San Francisco. OFFICE OF THE State Boarp or HortIcuLTuRE, SACRAMENTO, CaL., May 24, 1902. To His Excellency Hunry T. Gace, Governor of California: Sir: To meet the demands made by fruit-growers, the State Board of Horticulture has deemed it necessary to publish a second edition of the Culture of the Citrus in California. This second edition comprises nearly all of the subject-matter con- tained in the first, with the addition of new’ matter of importance to fruit-growers. Respectfully submitted. ELLWOOD COOPER, President. FRUITING BRANCH OF THE ORANGE (Citrus aurantiivin). CONTENTS. PAGE. THE CALIFORNIA FRUIT INDUSTRY - - - - - - 9 CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA - = = a - 2 = 13 PRIMITIVE ORCHARDS - - = - = i 2 y = AT EXPANSION OF ORANGE CULTURE - - * - “ 3 = 20 CALIFORNIA ORANGE AND LEMon SHIPMENTS - - - “ =) BE EspPEcIALLY FAVORABLE AND DANGEROUS LOCALITIES - - - 22 POLLINATION—HYBRIDS = - - 7 es = a a - 23 Metuops Usep 1n Hysripizinc Puants. By W. T. Swingle and H. J. Webber eS ik = ek Me 26 Wuar Are Hysrips? By W.T.Swingleand H.J. Webber - - 29 PuRPOSE AND GROWTH OF PRIMAL Types. By Wm. C. Fuller = 30 PERIOD OF FRUITFULNESS - - - = - - a s - 42 THE AGE oF Citrus TREES. By E. W. Holmes - - - - 43 THE ORANGE. VARIETIES—THE SWEET ORANGE - - S = - - 49 NaveL Type - - 2 551.5 4 z s : > 52 Washington Nav di Biiory of - - - - + - - 52-58 St. MicHaEL Tyre - = = a 2 2 = 2 a 5 = 59 Buioop Type Se a = ss a 2 3 2 es N61 STANDARD VARIETIES WITH No DistTincTIVE MARK - - - 61 TANGIERINE-MANDARIN TYPE - - - - - - - - - 63 MISCELLANEOUS JAPANESE Citrus Fruits - - - = - 66 Kumaquat TYPE - - - Epa ee te 7 = Z 2 - 69 THE SOUR ORANGE - - = z = 3 < = = Si 70 THE BITTER ORANGE - = - = z z : 2 a ae 79 MYRTLE-LEAF TYPE - - : : - - 2 2 3 2 72 THE SHADDOCK - : = - e zs < s : 2 B Se 878: THE POMELO - # Z = = = . z 2 2 * 15 THE OTAHEITE ORANGE - 3 7 7 S s 2 z - 82 THE DECIDUOUS ORANGE - - = = 2 iS : 5 “ 83 MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES - - = 7 2 z 2 - 83 PROPAGATION OF THE ORANGE - - - Sores - : 84 BUDDING - - - - - 3 2 s 2 - 2 = « = OL WorKING-OVER LARGE ORANGE TREES ms = A % = # 95 PLANTING - - - = - z z * é _ 2 - 106 SOILS” - - - - - - - - z * e ‘ - 3 105 IRRIGATION - - - - - - s = 5 - E - - 106 CULTIVATION - - - - - - = a * @ 2 = 109 CULTIVATION AND InRIGATION. By J. W. Mills | - - - - - 110 Supsoi, Prow. By J. H. Reed - - i “ . 3 e 2 114 PRUNING - - - - - - - 116 THE ORANGE CROP—GATHERI NG, ETC. - - - - - 123 THE STANDARD ORANGE Box - - - - - - - - 125 STANDARD CAR OF ORANGES - - - - - - - 128 ORANGE DROPPING, DISEASES, ETC. - - - - - - 129 YELLOW AND VARIEGATED LEAVES - - - - = = = 130 8 CONTENTS, ORANGE DROPPING, DISEASES, ETC.—ContTiInvEep— Tue Dir-Back TROUBLE - - 5 a : 2 = ‘ MorrLen LEAF - = 2 é ts ‘ . 5 7% Gum DISEASE - - * % & % ‘i < = e FERTILIZATION - - - - - - - - - - - THe Use or Fertivizers. By C. C. Chapman - - - Fertivizing Crrrus Trees. By N. W. Blanchard - - - Economy in FertiuizatTion. By Prof. E. W. Hilgard - - ADVANTAGE OF FERTILIZING SMALL Trees, By J. M. Edmison PAGE. FERTILIZING THE Sort aS AFFECTING THE ORANGE IN HEALTH AND Disease. By Herbert J. Webber — - - = - = = FROST PROTECTION - - = = 2 Z QUESTIONS AFFECTING ORANGE CULTURE - - * THE LEMON. DESCRIPTION OF TREE, FRUIT, ETC. - - - - - VARIETIES - - . * = z 2 S 2 Z Tue Sweet, or BERGAMOT, Laceors 2 - - - - - PRUNING - - = 3 é 2 - = = Z = = THe Baronto MetHop. By A.C. Baronio - - - - - OpEeN-CENTER Metuop. By C. W. Leffingwell, Jr. - - - Open HorizontaL Trimminc. By George P. Hall - - - Sremi-Baronio SysTeEM - - - - - - - - - TREATMENT OF THE LEMON - - - - - - - LEMON SIZES; STANDARD BOX - - - = 2 COST OF HANDLING LEMONS - - - - - - - SICILIAN LEMON INDUSTRY. By W. Catton Grasby, F.L.8. THE CITRON. DESCRIPTION OF FRUIT - - - = 3 = S a PROPAGATION - - - - - - - 2 a z a VARIETIES - - = = : = 2 = PREPARATION OF CITRON RIND - - - - x 2 COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE - - 3 : = « 5 THE LIME. TREE, FRUIT, Pee en PRUNING, ETC. - = - VARIETIES - = 3 - < = e . PRODUCTS OF THE CITRUS. BY-PRODUCTS OF CITRUS FRUITS - - ie e = 3 ORANGE AND LEMON ROT. ITS CAUSE, PREVENTION, ETC. By C. W. Woodworth - INSECT PESTS, ETC. INSECT PESTS AFFECTING THE CITRUS - - : z FORMULAS FOR DESTROYING INSECT PESTS - - = BENEFICIAL INSECTS—PREDACEOUS - z s 2 Z 132 133 134 137 138 142 144 149 149 155 161 165 166 170 176 182 191 197 200 201 207 207 209 231 232 234 234 235 239 240 243 TOE OLE US, ITS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. THE CALIFORNIA FRUIT INDUSTRY. The most important of all California’s varied industries at the present day is fruit-growing. It has rapidly come to be a great productive industry, and has overshadowed all others in its extent and importance. Stock-growing, mining, agricul- ture, viticulture, have all been overtaken and passed on the road, and to-day the production, handling, and marketing of the various fruits of the State give employment to a larger number of people and have more capital invested in them than any other class of enterprises in California. Horticulture is the staple industry of the State, and everything that will affect it for either good or bad is watched with great interest. The condition of the weather in the Eastern fruit sections, the records of the thermometer in our own State, the climatic con- ditions affecting the bloom or the setting of the fruit, the coming and spread of pests or diseases, are all watched with the keenest anxiety, for they mean to the State at large good or bad times as the indications are favorable or otherwise. Out of this pursuit has grown numerous organizations having in view the advancement of the industry on various lines. These are both public and private. There are State and County boards of horticultural commissioners, whose duties are pro- tective; fruit-growers’ associations; codperative associations for curing and marketing fruits; fruit exchanges and fruit unions; besides district and county horticultural societies. All these are the outgrowth of this industry and all are working to 10 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. advance it to the line of perfection as nearly as possible. One of the remarkable facts in connection with fruit-growing is the rapidity with which it has foreed itself to the front. For, while fruit has been grown in California from the date of the first settlement, it is only within the past twenty years that the industry has come into any prominence. In that time it has become the great specialty of the State, so that California now boasts the proud distinction of being the orchard of the United States. The climate and soil of the State render it especially adapted to fruit culture. In common with all our pastoral and agricul- tural pursuits, California owes the introduction of horticulture to the Mission Fathers, who first of all planted fruit-bearing trees on the Pacific shores. These plantings were small and of no great importance, except in so far as they proved that fruit would do well in California. Their orchards were planted with no regard to their commercial value, and the only object in planting them was to furnish the Fathers and their servants with fresh fruit. The best varieties then obtainable found their way here, but no effort was made to improve them. In fact, early horticulture in California, as with all other develop- ments of agriculture, was very crude, and its products in no way comparable with those of the present age; but in the planting of their primitive orchards the Fathers laid the foun- dation for a gigantic industry and ‘builded better than they knew.” In 1767 the Jesuits were expelled from the missions in Lower California, their possessions were turned over to the Franciscans, and Junipero Serra was selected as President of the Missions. A dispute arose between the Franciscans and Dominicans over the division of the property. The latier claimed an interest in the mission work. In consequence of this a division was made, and in 1769 the Franciscans started northward, entering and occupying what is now the State of California. The avowed object of their establishment was the conversion of the savage races to christianity; but while devot- ing themselves to the harvest of souls the Fathers did not neglect the material interests of themselves or their establish- ments. The surrounding country was speedily subdued and the natives were changed from hunters to herdsmen and the flocks of the missions became numerous and of great value. CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 11 It was not thought possible in those early days that the vast plains of California would ever be available for other than grazing purposes. To the civilized world this State, together with the whole Pacific Coast, was known as the “great American desert.” It was known that there were fertile spots, but these were regarded, like the oases in the Sahara, as but accentuating the aridity of the surrounding waste. José del Galvez, “visitor-general” and secular head, with Father Serra, made arrangements for the establishment of settlements. Twenty-one missions were established, all but three of which had gardens and orchards. The mission orchards were very small, and some consisted of but few trees, but those trees played an important part in the horticultural advancement of the State, for they showed the possibilities in fruit culture, and furnished seeds, stocks, and scions for many orchards. After the occupation of the southern part of the State by the Franciscans, the Russians, actuated by entirely different motives, penetrated from the north. The Mission Fathers were bent upon the spiritual conquest of the new land; the Russian traders, upon its commercial conquest; yet the efforts of both, diverse at first, converged in the conquest of the wild Pacific tribes to modern civilization, and both brought with them civilizing influences. The Russians who obtained a foot- hold here early in the nineteenth century planted an orchard of mixed deciduous fruits at Fort Ross, as early as 1812. The Russian orchards, like those of the Mission Fathers, were not planted from a commercial consideration, but to supply their respective owners with fruit for home consumption. However, like the corresponding industry in the south, it served to prove that fruit would grow in California, and thus became the pioneer of the present great wealth-producing industry of the State. The fruits introduced into the two sections of the State were characteristic of the countries from which they were brought. The chief fruits brought by the Fathers were oranges, figs, grapes, and olives—all fruits of a genial southern clime. They met on common ground in California with those of the more rugged climate of the north—apples, pears, and cherries, introduced by the Russian pioneers. It speaks highly for the diversity of products to which this State is adapted that both once having obtained a foothold maintained it, and to-day we find the apple 12 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. of the north growing side by side with the orange of the south, while the pear and the lemon thrive together. The varieties of fruit grown in the missions of Lower California, whence the Franciscans derived their stock, were few in number and con- sisted of figs, citrons, oranges, pomegranates, plantains, olives, and dates. There were no fruits of the north temperate zone, unless it were a few peaches of very indifferent quality, which did not thrive well and were not regarded as worth much con- sideration. As elsewhere related, the Franciscans made their first estab- lishment at San Diego in 1769, and proceeded from that point northward, establishing altogether twenty-one missions; the last one being at Sonoma in 1823. Here they found the Rus- sian settlements, and the horticultural products of the north and the south met and have grown together since. At each of their missions the Fathers established orchards. Vancouver, in his memoir of the Pacific Coast, in 1792, describes an orchard which he found at Santa Clara in which were growing apples, peaches, pears, apricots, and figs, the trees all being thrifty and promising. He further details finding at the mission of San Buenaventura apples, pears, plums, figs, oranges, grapes, peaches, and pomegranates. The orchards connected with the Mission San Gabriel were among the most extensive of that early period, having, among other fruits growing, oranges, citrons, limes, apples, pears, peaches, pomegranates, and figs; grapes also grew in abundance. No statistical accounts are extant recording the number of trees or the amount of fruit produced by the missions at the period of their greatest prosperity. Inventories of the mission properties were made at the time of their secularization in 1834. That of the Santa Ynez Mission recorded 987 fruit trees, valued at $1.00 each. San Fernando returned 1,600 fruit trees, valued at $1.50 each; San Gabriel, 2,333 fruit trees, upon which no valuation was placed; and San Diego returned 517 olive trees. Outside of the missions there were a few attempts at horticulture, which might be called the “prehistoric” orchards of the State. From the period of the secularization of the missions the early fruit industry began to decline. In a few instances the orchards were kept up to their original standard of excellence, but these were exceptional cases, and when General Fremont CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 13 visited California in 1846, he wrote of them that “little remains: of the orchards that were kept in high cultivation at the missions. * * * Fertile valleys are overgrown with wild mustard; vineyards and olive orchards are decayed and neglected.” While most of the orchards were thus allowed to fall into decay, a few still maintained their early vigor. Of one of these, General Fremont, in his “(Geographical Memoir,” says: “Among the arid brush-covered hills south of San Diego we found little valleys converted by a single spring into crowded gardens, where pears, peaches, quinces, pomegranates, grapes, olives, and other fruits grew luxuriantly together, the little streams acting upon them like a principle of life.” Some of the earlier settlers, with foresight enough to see that there was profit in fruit, secured some of the mission orchards, and under skillful treatment and fostering care these were made productive again by careful pruning, cultivation, and irrigation. These enterprising orchardists reaped a golden reward for their labor. The early plantings in the north were generally in the vicinity of the mines and were small family orchards. But little care was bestowed upon them, as fruit-growing then was not the science into which it has since developed. All sorts of seeds were planted and these were allowed to grow and bear when and how they would. But as the demand for better varieties of fruit increased, efforts at improvement were made, and better stock was sought. CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. The discovery of the fact that citrus fruits could be pro- duced successfully and profitably, gave an impetus to the growth of a most important industry in our State, and espe- cially in the southern counties, which is almost unprecedented in the history of our Union. California is essentially devoted to specialties, and while each of the numerous industries like the prune, raisin, peach, walnut, almond, etc., is pursued in the different sections, and while each of these industries is followed to a greater or less extent in the surrounding counties, so Southern California became the center of the citrus industry. Land which had 14 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. been regarded as worthless rapidly advanced in value as the industry grew, and as its possibilities began to dawn upon the knowledge of the grower, its value continued to increase. Cities, towns, and villages sprang up, whose birth, existence, and future depended upon the condition of the orange market. Extensive systems of irrigation were developed, and a large extent of territory which had at the commencement of this growth been regarded as a desert was converted into a vast orchard, filled with pleasant homes and a prosperous popula- tion. While orange trees were among the earliest introduced into our State, having been brought here by the Mission Fathers, it may be said that orange culture is of very modern origin, and the industry has assumed commercial importance only since 1880. The so-called citrus region is one of indefinite boundaries, and the question where oranges would or would not grow has given rise to much acrimonious discussion between various sections of the State. It may be set down as a fact that the orange will flourish in spots over the greater part of the State, the exceptions being in the extreme northern counties and the higher altitudes of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range. The cultivation of citrus fruits has formed the chief horticultural industry of the extreme southern counties, and from this fact an impression has gone abroad that they would not flourish elsewhere. They are found in places along the entire length of the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, and very excellent fruit is grown as far north as Shasta. Of course this vast area is not all adapted to the culture of citrus fruits, in fact but a small proportion of it is so adapted, but enough has been done to prove that the climatic conditions required by the orange and lemon are to be found over a large part of California. While, too, the citrus fruit industry is the principal one of the southern counties, not all of the land in that section is suit- able for the growth of citrus fruits. Outside of the southern counties citrus fruits of exceedingly good quality are grown in the foothills of Kern County. In Tulare County there is a strip of land along the base of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains where oranges have been planted on a large scale, and they are grown very suc- cessfully both at the north and south ends of the belt. Citrus CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 15 fruits grown at Porterville and Lindsay are rapidly assuming a front position and share the honors in this line with other similarly favored sections of the south. Oranges thrive all along the foothills where water can be obtained. There are no damaging frosts or destructive winds. There are a number of | fine orchards, and every year large areas of new land are being planted to citrus fruits. Placer County has numerous citrus orchards, and the area in citrus culture is gradually extending, especially about New- castle, Loomis, Rocklin, and Penryn. In Sacramento County considerable attention is now devoted to the culture of citrus fruits, at Orangevale and Fair Oaks. In the former colony large plantings are to be seen and large shipments of this fruit are being made annually therefrom. Citrus fruits do well over a large portion of Butte County, which county is entitled to the position of leader in the north- ern citrus belt. Prior to 1886, citrus culture was largely experimental, although even at that time the fact that oranges would grow there and could be made a profitable crop had gradually forced itself upon the attention of fruit-growers. The winning of the award at the Northern Citrus Fair in Sac- ramento that year, confirmed the belief of the citrus-growers there, and a great impetus was given to the new industry, until now Butte County is better known for her production of citrus fruits than for the growing of those which had so far proved of greater commercial importance. The colonies of Thermalito and Palermo have taken their chief impetus from the fact that oranges will grow there, and the planting of orange trees has not diminished, but rather increased with time. Wyandotte, adjacent to Palermo, is another favorite section where citrus fruits are grown successfully. The oldest orange tree in Northern California is at Bidwell’s Bar (Butte County), where it may still be seen. This tree was grown from seed of an Acapulco orange planted by Jesse Morrill at Sacramento in 1855, and transplanted to its present site in 1859. (See illustration on next page.) In Yuba County large tracts have been set out in orange trees, notably at Wheatland and Smartsville. In Stanislaus County the area of citrus-growing is being rapidly extended. The orange has been successfully grown about Knight’s Ferry for a number of years, but only recently 16 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. has the culture of this fruit been pursued on a large scale. Extensive plantings are being made about Oakdale. The western portion of Amador County is admirably adapted to fruit-growing. The same citrus belt traverses this county that encircles the northern counties of Butte, Nevada, and Placer, and oranges and lemons of remarkable size and flavor have been produced there. In Calaveras County citrus fruits have not been grown very extensively, but at Campo Seco there are orange trees over h q thirty years old, which bear good crops annu- ally, as also in the citrus belt which em- braces the northern part of the county. In Fresno County until recently very little attention was paid to growing citrus fruits. A few orange orchards in the foot- hill regions of the county showed the future possibilities of the section, and the acreage is now being rapidly extended. The ae oranges and lemons i cea Rc Ps Meee’ =exhibited at the Fres- The oldest orange tree in Northern California, at no citrus fairs in the Bidwell’s Bar, transplanted in 1859, past fouror ae years compared favorably with those grown in other favored sections adjoining. In Merced County the orange thrives best in the thermal belt of the Sierra Nevada foothills. There are numerous plantings in and about Merced City. Fine fruit has also been exhibited at the Cloverdale citrus fairs held there for the past four seagons, showing the possi- bilities of that section in citrus culture. It will be seen from these statements that the citrus belt of California is not confined within any mere geographical boun- CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 17 daries; that no compass and chain can separate the so-called southern from the northern citrus belt; that with proper conditions citrus fruits can be grown over a large area of the State; and that without proper climatic conditions they can not be grown successfully. Primitive Orchards.—The most extensive orange orchard of early planting was at the San Gabriel Mission, in Los Angeles County, supposed to have been set out in 1804 by one “Father” Thomas Sanches. The first orange orchard of any note, outside of the missions, although small and intended for home use, was planted by Louis Vignes at Los The once famous Wolfskill Orange Orchard—trees forty years old. Angeles in 1834. Thesame year Manuel Requena also planted a small orchard. Other plantings soon followed, the most notable and important of which was that of the late William Wolfskill, at Los Angeles, consisting of two acres set out in 1841, and this was probably the first orange orchard ‘planted in the State with a view to profit. In 1853 the Matthew Keller orchard, opposite the Wolfskill orchard, was planted. Another orchard was planted north of the San Gabriel Mission, now known as the Wilson orchard. These plantings did not immediately succeed each other, but a considerable period elapsed from the date of the setting out of the mission orchard, and even after the success of this latter orchard had been assured other plantings were slow and not extensive. 2c 18 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. In 1857 a few trees were planted at old San Bernardino by L. Van Leuven from seed grown by him. He also the same year planted forty-five trees obtained from Los Angeles. About two hundred were planted at Crafton by Myron H. Crafts, about 1865. The first seeds were planted at Riverside in 1870, and the first trees in orchard, grown from these seeds, in 1872 and 1873. In 1869 Frank A. Kimball planted some orange and lemon trees at National City, San Diego County. At that time there were two old orange trees growing in El Cajon Valley. But little progress was made in orange culture from 1857 until 1862, at which date there were but twenty-five thousand trees in the entire State, and two thirds of these were in the Wolfskill orchard. From this date the planting of orange Orange Avenue at San Gabriel—trees thirty years old. trees increased, but not with any great rapidity until 1878, when the first impetus was given to the industry. Southern California was out of the reach of railroad transportation. Fruit for the market was hauled to Los Angeles in wagons and from there transferred to rail and steamer. This process was slow and expensive, and but a limited area, and that not the best land for the purpose, could be cultivated. The completion of the Southern Pacific hne, however, gave superior transporta- tion facilities, and at the same time opened up a new and better fruit region. Riverside had already started, having been set- tled in 1869, and a considerable area of orchard land was set to oranges. Shipments of fruit to San Francisco and the East commenced, and they brought good returns and encouraged the CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 19 growers. It was not, however, until the opening of the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fé line that the highest development took place. From this time on there was a veritable boom in orange planting. Some of the returns from these orchards were almost incredible, as much as $3,000 from one acre having been reported, and $800 to $1,000 being no uncommon yield. Of course, an industry that would pay such profits was eagerly sought. Land suitable for orchards advanced rapidly in value; other lands advanced collaterally, and it became profitable to subdue them to this purpose. Land companies, irrigation companies, and planting companies were organized with suffi- cient capital to carry out their schemes, and the whole extent of a country which had been a forbidding waste was soon converted into a fruitful orchard. The very face of nature was changed, and in a few years Southern California became one of the most important sections of the State. In 1862, H. M. White planted two orange trees in Frazier Valley, east of Porterville, Tulare County, which are still bearing and which formed the nucleus of a forty-acre orchard that now surrounds the original tree. At Plano, in the same county, Mrs. Gibbons, in 1868, planted some orange seed as an experiment, which proved successful. Other plantings followed, until the present citrus district of Porterville developed. The first orchard was planted in Porterville in 1883, by A. R. Henry. About the same date a small planting was made at Centerville, Fresno County. A few trees were planted by the agent of the Marysville and Oroville railroad as early as 1868, in his garden at Oroville, Butte County. A small orange grove was planted by Nicholas Carriger in 1871, about two and a half miles west of the town of Sonoma. Mr. L. L. Lewis, the present owner, says: “These trees are now over three feet in circumference, and some of them will yield this season as high as twenty-five boxes of oranges.” Thus we find that, as early as 1870, small orange groves had been planted all along the foothills from San Diego to Butte County. Plantings in many of the valley counties had also been made up to this date. These latter have served to prove the inadaptability of the valleys to the growth of the industry, while along the foothills the small beginnings have developed into one of the most permanent and profitable branches of horticulture in the State. 20 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Expansion of Orange Culture.—While oranges had been grown in the most favored sections of Southern California, and to a very small extent in other portions of the State, to River- side is due the great impetus that brought the industry into national prominence. The twenty varieties of oranges that competed against the world at the New Orleans World’s Fair, and to which was awarded the gold medal for their superiority, were grown at Riverside, and the fact was heralded the world over. Itis also largely to Riverside that the orange industry is indebted for its present importance, from the success attained in the cultivation of the Washington Navel, an orange which achieved widespread fame for itself and the location (River- side) where it was first successfully grown. A Riverside Washington Navel Orange (irove. The importation of the Australian ladybird (Vedalia car- dinalis) gave another impetus to the industry, and the work of this little insect in this State can not be better illustrated than by the reported shipments of citrus fruits from Los Angeles before and after its introduction. For years Los Angeles was the lead- ing shipper of citrus fruits, but the introduction and spread of the cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi) so affected the indus- try that it was on the verge of extinction. In 1890, San Ber- nardino County (now divided from Riverside), into which this scale had not forced its way, shipped 1,705 carloads of oranges, and Los Angeles 781. The Vedalia practically exterminated the cottony cushion scale, and the returns in 1891 were 2,212 car- loads for Los Angeles and 1,708 for San Bernardino, an increase CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 21 of three carloads for the latter county, while Los Angeles advanced in one season from 781 to 2,212, an increase of 1,431 carloads. The increase of San Bernardino was a natural one, but that of Los Angeles was due to the advent of the Vedalia and not to the coming in of new orchards. The latest tree census from returns made by County Assessors shows the number of orange and lemon trees in the State to be as follows: Oranges. Lemons. Bearing (Brees cc ccuseen see been seat eeeeerB loo lO0 805,084 Non-bearing Trees __.--.-----.------ -------- 1,837,695 504,272 Totals..cccesceceesecces 2 cceece ec_--s-x--2-4,970,480. 1,309,856 It is notorious that the returns of assessors are underesti- mated, many orchardists reluctantly giving the full number, fearing it might entail additional taxation. If twenty per cent were added to the above, it would approximate more nearly to the true number. By such addition we would have 8,759,342 bearing and 2,205,234 non-bearing orange trees. Of lemon trees we would have 966,101 bearing and 605,126 non-bearing. The total number would be 5,964,576 orange trees and 1,571,227 lemon trees, and a combined total of 7,535,803 orange and lemon trees. Averaging 100 trees to the acre, would give 75,358 acres devoted to this culture. As it is estimated that there are about 1,500,000 acres in the so-called Thermal Belt extending from San Diego to Tehama County suitable for the cultivation of citrus fruits, the foregoing data show what room there is for the expansion of this industry. CALIFORNIA ORANGE AND LEMON SHIPMENTS. From California Fruit-Grower. Season. Carloads. No. of Boxes. WG SGF 5 nce cect aanenk ied naedeeaReeseaeaee eal 1,972,500 1893-045 ones Retort eeeseecae es seleto eee 5,022 1,687,500 1804-06 oe eck oe 41070 2,545,200 1895-96 )2 segsau ce wae She Seis ise = So oie ee ee Sars 6,915 2,323,500 1896-97 2,469,600 AS89798 cceeesaccscess Sessa : ae 5,174,400 1898209 12 oe ose cesscsee Lecesecceezeseseeeeats 10,875 3,654,000 1899-00 oo cese eect Recon coe bescsteesccen L8400 6,624,000 1900-0] a2 ceases Aoscenssessesnesonessssaes sees 24,900 8,964,000 Of the 24,900 cars, or 8,964,000 boxes, of citrus fruit shipped during the season of 1900-01, 3,200 cars, or 992,000 boxes 22 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. were lemons. As the average net value of a carload of oranges and lemons to the producer for the season of 1900-01 was about $350, the total value of the shipments amounts to $8,715,000. About as much more money was disbursed for cultivation, packing, and freight, making a grand total for that season of about 17,430,000. The above only represents the actual amounts that were moved to markets. Especially Favorable and Dangerous Localities. — All along the belt of country from Tehama County to San Diego there are especially protected or favored localities where the orange and the lemon grow to perfection, and also localities where it would be unsate to attempt citrus fruit culture asa commercial enterprise. This is caused by the local topography of the country and does not depend much on the altitude. Wherever cold currents of air from high altitudes flow to the valley without interruption, it will not be safe to attempt citrus culture at any elevation within the sweep of these currents. On the other hand, wherever these descending currents are cut off or turned aside by spurs of the mountains, leaving the warm atmosphere of the days undisturbed during the nights, there orange and lemon culture may be engaged in without danger from frost. In other words, the eddies of air currents must be selected and the main flow of these currents must be avoided. Every one who has traveled along these Sierra foothills parallel with the valleys, particularly in the winter season and at night, will recall his surprise at the sudden changes of the temperature of the atmosphere within short distances. He may also remember to have noticed tender plants and shrubs seared and frost bitten, while just over a ridge or cone the same plants and shrubs were in full leaf and growing luxuriantly. Want of attention to these facts has caused many a disastrous failure in the cultivation of citrus fruits in California. It may be here observed that these peculiar natural phenomena are more striking and their lessons are more imperative north than south of the Tehachapi pass—for the reason that south of that point the coast range of mountains is broken up into fragments, and the tempering influences of the waters and breezes of the ocean are more direct and powerful CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION. 23 than farther north, where this range is practically unbroken and the citrus belt is farther inland. These disadvantages of the northern section are, however, somewhat counteracted in the fact that the drier and warmer summer atmosphere is a greater guarantee against the spread and ravages of insect pests. The more elevated and inland localities in the south have this same advantage over localities nearer the coast. There are orange and lemon trees growing in nearly all of the counties of the State not exclusively in the mountainous sections, and many of these trees are bearing more or less fruit of very fair quality. For climatic reasons, however, the citrus fruit industry is and must be confined to a belt of country lying along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This belt is called the “Thermal Belt.” It stretches from San Diego to Tehama County, a distance of over seven hundred miles, and varies in width from three or four miles to twenty- five or thirty. In this belt it is estimated there are about 1,500,000 acres of land adapted to the safe cultivation of citrus fruits on a commercial basis. The altitude ranges from 380 to 1,800 feet above sea-level. The mean summer temperature of this belt is somewhat higher in the northern portion than in the southern, but the mean winter temperature ig higher in the southern than in the northern portion. The mean temperature for the year does not vary more than four degrees throughout the whole belt. POLLINATION—HYBRIDS. The mixing of the pollen among the flowers of the species has given birth to innumerable hybrids, distinguished as such and designated as varieties, by their remaining constant, 7. ¢., not reverting to the mother type after continuous propaga- tion. With the constant multiplication of varieties it would be difficult to trace to what species many hybrids belong. Many partake of the lemon, the orange, and the citron. The flower of the orange is nothing but a transformed branch, coming out of either the axilla of an ordinary leaf or from that of an abortive leaf, usually called a bract. This transformed branch, or flower, in the orange, consists of sev- eral whorls or transformed leaves, viz: the calyx whorl, the 24 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. corolla whorl, the stamina whorl or whorls, and ovary whorl or whorls. The latter, in the citrus fruit, consists ordinarily of two distinct whorls—the outer or rind whorl, and the inner or pulp whorl. The flowers of the greater number of species are single—possessing an abundance of pollen. Double flow- ers are often produced by the growth of additional whorls or petals. Double flowers have a tendency to fruit-doubling. The peculiarity of these fruits exists in the ovary before fertiliza- tion, and the fruit exhibiting it may develop without having been fertilized. It has rarely any seeds, and when present are very small and imperfect. Such instances of seedless fruit plainly show that the so-called superfcetation could not have been the result of excess fertilization, as there are no germs to be fertilized, and even if there are any, they must be so imper- fect that no fertilization can take place. This result might also occur from imperfection of the sexual organs. The orange within an orange is nothing but a doubling of the fruit or ovary whorls. It is the result of the doubling of the flower. Gallesio says: “Certain varieties, like the double- flowered bergamot, when not highly cultivated and left to themselves, lose by degrees the character of giving double flowers and bear only single ones.” Artificial fecundation whenever applied has given varying results, and when the action was effected upon the ovules the fruit was not modified, but the ovules grew into seeds, which when planted produced trees and fruit entirely distinct from the parent trees. Fecundation is effected naturally among pollen-producing flowers by insects, birds, the wind, and by friction. The moment the flowers reach maturity and are ready for fecunda- tion the stigma of the pistil appears as if gummed with a honey-lke substance, and serves to retain the dust-like pollen when applied to it. The flower with which to effect fecunda- tion must be taken when nearly ready to bloom, must be thrifty, the corolla removed, and the anthers rubbed upon the stigma to be fructified. The operation is repeated until the stigma assumes its normal state, and care must be exercised not to miss the moment of blooming in the pistil. Varieties of the orange are innumerable, and have of late CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION. 25 years been imported from all over the globe. While many of these possess good qualities, the majority lack the most essential characteristics to be worthy of culture for profit. Attempts to improve upon the varieties now fruiting have been made by cross pollination, but without results of much value, although numerous varieties possessed of some merit have been thus originated. The best results have been through Dame Nature, and chance seedlings of high merit have been produced without the aid of man. But while some of these imported sorts and home-grown seedlings have been planted quite largely throughout the State, the fruit, being devoid of special characteristics through which their qualities could be known to the trade and distinguished from the ordinary common seedling, often sell for no more, if as much. The only variety produced by what may be termed a peculiar method of propagation is an exceptionally fine type of Navel by A.C. Thomson, of Duarte. The process, which is men- tioned by ancient writers upon agriculture, was first applied in this State by Mr. Thomson, and was performed by a close intermarriage of the wood of several varieties, which, by growing together, resulted in a combination of the characteristics of the various factors. The secret of the operation lies in the matching of two half-buds of the same size and of different sorts. The process Mr. Thomson describes as follows: “The bud is composed of two half-buds of the same size put together and inserted as one, waxed over, after being concaved to fit the convex side of the stock, and concaved a little also in the split so as to bring both edges of the germ together closely. This has to be done of course with a very thin, sharp knife. Now say, for instance, that one of the half-buds is a Washington Navel and the other half a St. Michael. These grow together and form one shoot. From this shoot next season take buds, and from Malta Blood take buds of equal size and maturity; split and unite these halves as one bud, fit them well and neatly together, wax over lightly, and cover with a wax wrapper; string will not do, as the buds would dry out. Next season again take these buds from this new growth and halve them with half-buds of Mediterranean Sweet. Here, then, you get a growth which includes all the varieties named. At 26 STATE BOARD OF ILORTICULTURE. the end of three weeks from budding, the wrapper has to he removed and the buds examined with a magnifying glass. If the union is complete at the crown of the germ return the wrapper, to exclude sun and air until the bud starts to grow. Sometimes only one-half of the bud starts to grow; all such should be cut out and the budding done over again. Sometimes both halves die, or both halves grow separately. Then it has to be done over again on a new place in the stock. There ought to be at least fifty buds of each combination put in at the same time to cover failures.” Mr. Thomson has distributed a great many buds and trees among his neighbors and in other sections of the State. The trees have invariably continued to produce a thin-skinned orange and seemingly remaining constant. Many have claimed that the variety has not produced fruit as grown on the original trees, but Mr. Thomson says this has not been on trees which he has supplied. The buds then must have come from other trees that are not the true “Improved Navel.” METHODS USED IN HYBRIDIZING PLANTS.* The process of hybridizing plants is in itself neither difficult nor mysterious, it being simply necessary to understand the general structure of the flower to be used. The flowers of the tomato, pear, and orange may be taken as illustrating the common forms, although, of course, very many modifications occur. The envelopes of these flowers, as in the case of the flowers of most cultivated plants, consist of two whorls of modified leaves. The outer whorl, which is known as the calyx, is commonly green like the foliage and is divided into several distinct or more or less united lobes, or sepals; while the inner whorl, or corolla, is usually of some bright color other than green, and its different divisions or lobes are known as petals. In some cases, as in the lily, the calyx and corolla are of the same color, so that they are not easily distinguish- able; while in still other cases, as in oaks, walnuts, etc., the corolla is entirely wanting. The essential, or sexual, organs of the flower, the stamens * By Walter T. Swingle and Herbert J. Webber, Special Agents Department of Agriculture. Yearbook 1897, p. 385. CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION. 27 and pistils, are found inside the calyx and corolla, and it is with these organs that the hybridizer is most concerned. The stamens, or male organs, of the plant are usually several m number, and are composed of an upper swollen portion, the anther, which is borne on a more or less slender stalk called the filament. In some flowers, as in those of the tomato, the filament is very short, and in others is entirely wanting, the anthers being borne at the base of the corolla. The very numerous small, yellow, powdery grains of pollen, which con- stitute the male fecundating elements, are borne in sacks in the anthers. When the anther matures, these sacks burst open and the pollen is exposed. A quantity of this pollen must be transferred, either by natural or artificial means, to the stigma of the female organ in order to insure fecundation. The appli- cation of pollen to the stigma is designated pollination, and successful pollination—that is, the application of pollen to the stigma, followed by fecundation—is termed fertilization. The pistil or pistils, which are the female organs, occupy the center of the flower and are surrounded by the stamens. The upper portion of the pistil is usually somewhat swollen and more or less rough. Itis on this portion of the pistil, known as the stigma, that the pollen must fall to produce fecundation. In the majority of plants the stamens and pistils are pro- duced in the same flower, as in the tomato and orange, but in certain plants they are produced in different flowers on the same plant, as in walnuts, castor beans, etc., or on different’ plants, as in the willow, poplar, etc. In undertaking to hybridize plants artificially, it is well to - remember that in many plants the stamens and pistils when in the same flower mature at different times—-a provision to insure cross-pollination (the application of the pollen of one flower to the stigma of another). In a large majority of such cases the stamens ripen first, discharging their pollen before the pistil is receptive. The most important feature in the work of crossing is to exclude from the stigma all pollen except that which it is desired touse. The prevention of self-pollination (the transfer of pollen to the stigma of the same flower) in perfect flowers—that is, flowers containing both stamens and pistils— necessitates the careful opening of the flowers intended for hybridization while they are still immature, and the cutting or 28 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. pulling off of the anthers before they burst and allow the escape of the pollen. This process is termed emasculation. * * * In the manipulation of orange flowers mature buds nearly ready to open are selected and the tips of the corolla carefully pried apart until the stamens are exposed. In these flowers the anthers are attached to the filaments by very slender threads, which are easily broken, so that the simplest method of removing the stamens is to pull them off with fine-pointed forceps. The latter may also be conveniently used in prying apart the corolla lobes of the bud. During the process of emasculation in this and all other cases great care must be exercised not to open the stamens and accidentally pollinate the flower. All insects must be watched and carefully excluded. Fig. 3 shows an emasculated flower ready to bag. Fic. 1—Orange flower bud, Fic.2—Matureorangeflower. Fic. 3—An emasculated showing stage which (Natural size.) orange flower; a, shows should be selected for where anthers were de- emasculation. (Natural tached. (Natural size.) size.) (After Swingle and Webber.) After emasculating the flower, a bag of some closely woven cloth or of paper should be carefully passed over the twig bear- ing the flower and tied around the stem below the flower in such a manner as to effectually exclude all insects and foreign pollen. The manila paper sacks used by grocers are employed almost exclusively for this purpose. In a few days after emasculation and bagging, when the pistils have had time to mature, the sacks must be removed and the pistils pollinated, after which the sacks should be replaced as before and allowed to remain until fecundation has taken place and all danger from the action of foreign pollen is over. In most cases the sacks should then be removed, as they are likely to injure the development of the fruit. In some cases, as in the orange, where the pistil is nearly mature when the bud is opened, the pollen may be applied to the stigma when the flower is emas- culated, thus avoiding the trouble of opening the bag later. CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION. 29 The flowers selected for emasculation and hybridization should be full-sized, perfect in all respects, and conveniently situated. Those on the end of a twig frequently set fruit best. All the flowers on the branch which are not used should be cut off. Frequently several flowers of the same age can be selected on the same branch, emasculated, and inclosed under the same bag. In hybridizing, many different methods are followed in applying the pollen. In most cases where an abundance of pollen can be secured the freshly burst anthers from one plant may be taken with fine-pointed forceps and rubbed over the stigma of the other until sufficient pollen has been transferred. This is probably the easiest and safest method in most cases. Some hybridizers transfer the pollen with a small ladle or camel’s-hair brush, and occasionally this method may be found somewhat convenient, especially where the pollen is brought from some distance and has largely escaped from the anthers. After each pollination it is of the utmost importance to label the bag in such a way that there will be no question as to what it contains. These labels should be allowed to remain after the bag has been removed. As fruits, like oranges, etc., approach maturity it is very desirable that they-be inclosed in gauze bags firmly tied to the branches. Such bags allow the normal development of the fruit, protect it from being picked accidentally, and in case the fruit falls prematurely preserve it in connection with the label. WHAT ARE HYBRIDS? * The term hybrid is by many applied only to the offspring obtained by crossing two plants or animals sufficiently different to be considered by naturalists as distinct species, while the terms mongrel and cross are used to designate the offspring of two classes or varieties of one species. It was formerly supposed ’ that all hybrids were more or less sterile, in contradistinction to mongrels, which were believed to be very sterile. It has been found, however, that many hybrids, in the narrow sense, are very fertile, and that some mongrels are nearly sterile. Since it is impossible to indicate by any two words, such as hybrid * By Walter T. Swingle and Herbert J. Webber, Special Agents Department of Agriculture. Yearbook 1897, p. 384. 30 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. or mongrel, the various degrees of difference of the forms crossed, the word hybrid is here used, conformably to the Century Dictionary, as a generic term, to include all organisms arising from a cross of two forms noticeably different, whether the difference be great or slight. Adjectives are sometimes used to indicate the grade of the forms crossed, such as racial hybrid, bigeneric hybrid, etc. Where a hybrid of two species is crossed with a third species a trispecific hybrid results. The offspring produced by the union of two plants identical in kind, but separated in descent by at least several seed generations, is often called a crossed, cross-fertilized, or cross- bred plant, but it is not a hybrid, as the essential character of a hybrid is that it results from the union of plants differing more or less in kind; or, in other words, is the result of a union between different races, varieties, species, genera, etc. On the other hand, flowers impregnated with their own pollen, with the pollen of another flower on the same plant, or even with pollen from another plant derived from the same original stock by cuttings, grafts, etc., are said to be self-fertilized, and the offspring resulting from such unions are also termed self- fertilized plants. With some plants, such as tobacco and wheat, self-fertilization is the rule. In many cases, however, the flowers are so constructed that cross-fertilization is neces- sary, all possibility of self-pollination being precluded, as in the case of hemp and other plants having the male and female flowers on separate individuals. PURPOSE AND GROWTH OF PRIMAL TYPES.* Nature, unaided by animate creatures, sets her aim and degree of excellence around one central purpose. It is to pro- duce a germ to perpetuate her products, a seed, and within that seed a cluster of highly organized cells, that possess within themselves an impulse, and a power, under favorable conditions, to produce a type nearly identical with the parent. We can not comprehend the structure of this tiny association of cells, the delicate adjustment of its parts which give us the variety of the orchard, the latent impulse that has been imparted to this wonderful unit of growth. It is that enigma *By Wm. C. Fuller, of Colton, Cal. CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. PLATE II. SEEDLING TAHITI ORANGE—PRIMAL TYPE. (REpDUcED.) 32 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. of life, co-equal and co-splendent with the human soul, the analysis of being. It isa necessity with nature that every precaution of pro- tection should surround this seed in its growth, to guard it against destruction, and to complete its perfect development. The law of man’s self-existence is, that when the seed becomes his food whereby he lives, every effort of nature must be sec- onded to make a perfect seed protection. When the seed is not his food, then we must change, or entirely eliminate, one or more of these natural guards, and allow other qualities to displace these protective qualities. If wild areas were occupied by a species where the varieties could not mix by pollination, those varieties that developed vital seeds would thrive by perpetuating a race only slightly at variance with the primal type. If the area was occupied by mixed varieties, those having the most virile pollen, or those the best sexed, would conquer in the race for existence, and only that variety remain which would be surrounded by the greatest protection against all possible enemies. This would be accomplished by a change in each generation of seed, imparted to it by pollen possessing the greatest strength and enduring qualities. The growing plant from such a seed, having more resistance to climatic changes, more streneth of root to forage in the soil, and more power of leaf to elaborate its fruit, would produce, first, intermediate varie- ties, and, finally, occupy the whole area with a variety indis- tinguishable from the strongest type. Continuous cross-pollination would, with each generation, tend to eliminate the weaker variety, while seedless varieties would be destroyed immediately. It is this known law in its action, in natural selection and adaptation, that the Citrus vulgaris var. bigaradia, or the sour- bitter orange, may be regarded as the primitive type of many of the California oranges. Whether or not this is the germinal and historic species from which the historic varieties came, it is the natural protective type to represent the purpose of nature in the production of seed. Citrus Vulgaris, var. Bigaradia.—lIf nature had marked this tree and fruit with the sign “Touch not, taste not,” she could CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION, 33 not have fulfilled her purpose in perpetuating its life better than she has with the disagreeable qualities and outside aids with which she has surrounded it. The tree habits and fruit-growth differ from other varieties in many particulars. The tree is low for a standard, rarely reaching over thirty feet in height. This habit guards it from the effects of high winds and allows it to get the greatest benefit from the radiated heat, when the direct rays of the sun are spent. By its low, conelike growth the lower fruit is pro- duced having great strength and character, allowing a small compact cell to do an immense work, in the leaf and root. The leaf is winged; the large petioles below the articulation act as a protection and help, in case of injury to the blade of the leaf by degrees of heat or cold, or lack of nutrition and moisture. The flowers are shortened, thick petaled, and diffused with color ranging from white to pink. The little investigation that has been given to the study of the nectaries, and their sweet con- tents, of the orange forbids a comparison with other varieties. As in this family of plants this characteristic is a staminal or male development, and by analogy with the known habits of wild flowers it is certain that the sour orange has large, well- filled nectaries, aiding, as does the color of its petals, the dis- tribution of its pollen by insect agencies. While these organs may not be regarded as protecting the individual, as the thorns and bitter of the fruit, yet to the species and staminal varieties it is one of the essential means of self-protection in pollination by the aid of insects. The fruit is unsightly and rough, bitter and acrid. The oil is pungent and the fragrance heavy, as are the oils of the leaves and flowers. The pulp is sour and partakes of the bitterness of the rind. The oil cells are con- cave. The tree carries well-formed thorns distributed to the ends of the branches, and the fruit when ripe has strong germinating seeds for reproduction. Every quality and develop- ment of the tree is protective, and these staminal qualities have guarded its life, under adverse conditions, for centuries from destruction by birds, animals, and mankind. The characteristics of the bitter orange are given in detail, as this orange, highly sexualized, and strong in its staminate and pistillate power, is a type for all, and has imparted some of its qualities to all the varieties of our orchards. How has 3c 34 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. this orange with its combination of disagreeable qualities been changed and modified, and some of its qualities eliminated, to give us the Konah, the St. Michael, the Washington Navel, and other meritorious varieties? Staminal or Male Characteristics—By the law of vegetable growth, plants construct and form themselves; they increase and multiply themselves. The orange multiplies by the root growth of adventitious buds, that eventually form perfect trees; by cuttings; by the development of buds in the limb, that grow to branches and fruitfulness; and by a seed embryo developed in the ripened fruit. The adventitious bud in the root, and the branch bud are the result of the sex impulse dis- tributed through the entire tree structure. The embryo of the seed is the result of special adaptations in the structure of the leaf. The perfect development of the nucleus of the seed is the strength of the united reproductive functions of the entire tree, and although the root and branch buds are liable to “sport” and give new or modified varieties, it is to the stami- nate and pistillate modifications that we must look for the primary changes in the fruit and tree habits of growth. The least modification impressed upon the pollen impulse, and the receptivity of the ovarian cell, will change, modify, or eliminate some habit of the tree, or quality of the fruit, in the embryo and bud. It is apparent that in the bitter orange of the bigaradia, the male or staminal power 1s in the ascendancy. The whole tree, in all its manifestations, is suffused by this power. It primar- ily affects the cell of the leaf, the branch, and root. It influ- ences the vitality, the strength, and the compactness of the protoplasmic unit in the pollen germ, It is manifested in the heavy compact limb, the stout effective thorn, the resistant and strong terminal root growth, the thick leaf, the pungent oils, the bitter compounds of the rind and cells of the carpel, and in the capacity to resist the elaboration of sugar from the fruit acid, compelling the slow development of a strong germi- native and generative seed. Modifications in the Pollen Impulse.—Either by Bahia or cul- tivation the strength of the pollen impulse was changed. The staminate or male power of the bitter orange was acted upon, CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA— POLLINATION. 35 and its supremacy destroyed. When that was accomplished, those qualities that nature used to protect the seed were either without necessity or modified to the changed habits of the new tree. As these changes were produced, the whole tree was acted upon to adjust a correlated growth. The germ cells were changed in their capacity to produce a constant type. The vegetative functions were immediately increased, and those parts of the tree impulse ‘put forth a growth modifying those protective growths built upon the defense and perpetuity of the seed. As an immediate result of the loss in the pollen impulse, the leaf increased in surface. The root cells were enlarged and enabled to absorb liquids to meet an increase of leaf evaporation. The whole tree acquired a greater heat range and became more tropical. These modifications of the micro- scopic pollen cell in its constructive energy to maintain a per- manent type are seen in the habits of growth and fruit of the sweet orange (Citrus aurantium) of our orchards. Citrus Aurantium.—This orange is in such marked contrast to the bitter orange that eminent authorities have debated its origin, and have considered it a species equal with the bitter orange, and awarded to both the ancestry of whole groups of varieties. It carries a strong though weakened reproductive function. Its departure from the type of the bitter orange is in the loss of staminal power. The pistillate or vegetable growths have increased by a readjustment of plant energy in the floral branch which has weakened the virility of the pollen impulse. When the two varieties are compared, the necessity for a different parentage does not appear. The lines of modifica- tion follow the generative impulse, and this possibility of the germ type to variation gives the key to unlock the cause of seed and bud variation in the great number of varieties and monstrosities. The generative force broken in the type unit, the combinations of its qualities were resolved into groups. The type wnit being impossible, the growp wnit appears in the pollen, the seed, and the bud, giving us the varieties of the orchard, each having one or more characteristics of the historic type. The sweet orange is intermediate between the bitter orange and the seedless varieties. In comparison with the bitter 36 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. orange the pistillate impulse has displaced the staminate impulse, which appears in a weakened reproductive function. The vegetative growths have increased; the leaf is larger and has lost its relative thickness, and except in new and rampant growths is nearly wingless. The thorns have lost much of their protective qualities and are easily changed to a branch, and in rare cases develop a sessile floral branch which tips the thorn with a flower. The changes in the fruit are marked. The oil cells of the rind are convex, and have lost the pungent oils, becoming more delicate in fragrance. The same compara- tive delicacy in the oils is seen in the leaf and the blossoms. The bitter compounds are freed from the inner cells of the car- pels, and are only feebly present in the rind. The power to produce acidity is impaired, and the vegetative functions cause the tree to shorten its season of fruit-ripening by the aborted development of its seed. In this comparison of the two varieties of oranges, the bitter and the sweet, we see the positive staminal qualities of the bitter orange are in the sweet orange either entirely eliminated, weakened, or replaced by the growth of negative qualities that could not be observed in union with the overpowering staminal qualities. We see that the sweet orange does not represent the complete unit of nature, but consists of a division of qualities, comprised in a large group only. However marked this change, our California seedling still retains the largest group of qualities representing the type of our orchard varieties. Tendency of Orange Cultwre.—The tendency of orange culture in California is to displace, as far as possible, the type of varieties, as represented by the bitter and sweet oranges, and to extend the orchard growths in the direction of the variety that eliminates the seed growth and possesses only a small and sometimes feeble group of inherited qualities. This tendency arises froma desire to grow a sweet orange, and to a great extent is a misunderstanding of those qualities which, in combination, make a model fruit. Variety Groups.—In the St. Michael we have a group of qualities that intensified the staminal impulse of the sweet orange, as shown in the production of seeds. It retains the CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION. 37 quality of late ripening of the bitter orange, and possesses a citrus quality of great merit associated with a heavy, compact cell growth. In the Homosassa (or a variety known as the Homosassa), a Florida variety, we have a staminate group of qualities, giving to the fruit a high color, tending to seedlessness and an early ripening of the fruit. As we should expect from its tendency to depart from the development of seed, it is not possessed of the citrus quality of the St. Michael. The Tardive, or Hart’s Late, is an orange late in ripening, and with a feeble or impotent pollination. It is practically seedless. The rich coloring of the flesh, united with its slow maturity, allows this fruit to be picked in different stages of acidity. When well colored the citrus quality is past. The Ruby Blood is an orange with a fluctuating group of qualities. It is deeper flushed than the Maltese Blood, sweet and early. It develops the navel mark like the Washington Navel, and then is of marked sweetness and has a freedom from seeds. In the Sweet Seville, an orange unworthy of cultivation in California, we see the curious phenomenon of a division of the impulse of ripening. The cells of the flesh almost exhaust the acidity by its elaboration to sugar, while the cells of the rind are immature and green. When the rind is colored the fruit is insipid and worthless. The Washington Navel, the great seedless orange of Cali- fornia, is the popular variety and its plantings exceed any other. Keeping in view the natural law, that a type must possess many qualities to develop and protect a seed germ and bud integrity to perpetuate itself, that these qualities must be the result of the staminal impulse imparted by the pollen to the perfected seed, and that a pervading staminal strength must be diffused in the entire tree structure for bud growth and development, we see in this orange from Bahia how far it is possible to change from the purpose of nature. We see a small group of negative qualities wrested from a natural type. The displacement of its parts, culminating in the markings at the apex of the fruit, and from which it has acquired its popular name, isconstant. Asan inconstant habit itis not uncommon. All the varieties have occasional developments of the navel mark. It is often observed in the common seedling, and is 38 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. very common in the Ruby Blood. It has been popularly be- lieved, when seen in other varieties, to be the result of cross- pollination from the Washington or some other variety of Navel. In the light of recent investigations this is deemed impossible. Experiments the coming season will undoubtedly be made to substantiate this view. Jam inclined to think that this was among the first changes in the bitter orange, to destroy the staminal supremacy of that fruit. Whenever a fruit car- ries this mark it produces less seed and carries greater relative sweetness to its acidity. The original plants were received at Washington from Bahia, Brazil, and a number were sent by the Government to Florida and California for cultivation. The different results of cultivation and environment in the two areas show marked tendencies in tree development and fruitfulness. These questions arise: Were those plants of uni- form excellence? Did the Florida plants possess the same inherited qualities that the California plants possessed? Did the trees received at Riverside each possess equal excellence as a budding stock, and does the tree now in Washington possess the average inherited qualities of those in California and Florida? Satisfactory answers to these questions have an important bearing in solving the cause of the different develop- ments of the variety as grown in the two areas. If there were inherent qualities of variation in the plants distributed to the two areas, the difference in the habits of tree growth and fruitfulness would be in part accounted for. If plants of known purity of strain were exchanged by the two sections, Florida and California, consisting of well-developed buds, on both the sour and sweet stocks, and planted in average climatic con- ditions in the two areas, should show a tendency to change their habits of growth and fruitfulness, then climatic conditions would be considered a cause sufficient for these effects and the question of type inheritance be answered. Buds from the tree at Washington distributed to the two sections and treated as those exchanged by the two producing areas would further simplify the solution of inherent qualities. Navel Unfruitfulness.—The orange-growers of Florida observed the unfruitfulness of the Navel, in that State, early in its history. This seemed to show itself in the young trees as well as in the older orchards. The absence of pollen was noticed, and its CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION. 389 unfruitfulness was attributed to this unsexed development of the navel bloom. Professor Webber, of the United States Sub-Labo- ratory, was led to believe that the Navelin California produced an abundance of well-developed pollen, which was the cause of its fruitingin this State. Professor Cook observed, some time since, the absence of pollen in the navel bloom in California. This discovery established the normal unsexed quality of the Navel, in both the great areas of Florida and California. Thestaminate, or male, impulse is aborted and fails to produce developed pol- len grains, or if it occasionally appears, is a lingering impulse belonging to an incidental floral leaf. The impulse still exists to produce a weakened staminal bud development. As this development is arrested in the stamens and is only feebly present in the bud, just sufficient to cause the growth of the floral whorl bearing an anther without pollen, it would seem as though the staminal impulse was a quality pertaining to the root and in nowise dependent on the vegetative processes of the leaf, and in the Navel it is as though nature had almost withdrawn this force from the Navel tree and dissipated it ina vigorous root growth. When it was known that the Navel was not self-pollinated, it was affirmed that it was fruitful from the action of pollen from other varieties planted in close proximity. The proof of this was asked by Professor Webber and the question was sub- mitted to Mr. E. W. Holmes and Mr. J. H. Reed of Riverside, where large areas were planted far from pollen varieties. These able observers, aided by other horticulturists, have failed to detect any difference in the fruitfulness of the Navel when grown far from other varieties and outside the area of mixed pollination. Mr. B. M. Lelong, along the same line of investigation, says: “Cross-pollination only tends to the production of seeds, and can not in any way increase the production of fruit.” Professor Webber says to the same effect: ‘‘That we should not take means to secure the cross-pollination of our Navel trees, hoping thereby to secure a larger crop of fruit. The effect of the cross-pollination apparently being the production of seedy fruit, but not necessarily more fruit.” From these experiments and observations we may conclude that in the two great areas of Florida and California, the Navel 40 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. will fruit without pollination, and that fecundation will not increase fruitfulness in either area, but simply cause the devel- opment of the embryo into rudimentary or perfect seeds. Professor Webber, in a series of experiments in artificial pollination of the Navel, proved by them that some of the pistils of the Navel could transmit the impulse of the foreign pollen to the ovules of both the Washington and the Parson Navel, and that the embryo developed into full and perfect seeds, carrying a marked individuality, so apparent that from photographs of these seeds their form and appearance indicated the variety of pollen experimented with. We can infer from this how few are the qualities and how small the group is that remain of this variety to represent a type. This shows the Navel to be very sensitive to climate and treatment. The climate of Florida destroys its profitable bearing in that State. Its fruitage, as a profitable orange in Arizona, from information received from that Territory, is an experiment which indicated that it will not be profitable to cultivate it there. Its area of fruitage is therefore confined to California, as the only area in the United States where the conditions exist for its development, and in many locations and areas in this State where planted conditions will be found as unsuitable to its best growth. Its fruitfulness and habits are too sensitive to climatic changes and treatment to sustain the universal confidence reposed in it as a variety to plant in all conditions and soils. The orchardist should be enlisted to plant more sexualized varieties to guard his future interests. Results of Experiments.—These experiments and observations are valuable, showing— (1) That the Washington Navel is without staminal devel- opment of pollen. (2) That it fruits without the aid of foreign pollen. (3) That pollination would not increase its fruitfulness. (4) That the pistillate, or female quality, exists in the capacity to produce seeds, but is modified and fails to impress its growth and transmit to it its own characteristics. (5) That the readiness of the pistil to respond to artificial pollination, and its absence from seeds where an abundance of free foreign pollen has been distributed, show a weakness in the pistil to exude the adherent solvents to attach the pollen CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—POLLINATION. 41 germ and excite germination, or a weakness of the nectaries to furnish sweets to attract the natural insect aids. (6) That the capacity of the Navel to produce pollen is an inherent weakness of the staminal impulse in the tree and is ‘ not dependent upon climatic conditions. This removes the Navel from the varieties that can be modified by germinal changes in the embryo or seed, and classifies it with those varieties which will show modifications by adaptation in their bud development only. That if the same inherent bud quali- ties were possessed by the parent trees of Florida and Cali- fornia, unfruitfulness of the Navel variety may be expected to appear in the orchards of California. Adaptability —The great questions of profitable and success- ful orange culture in California are the adaptability of each variety to an area that will produce, as far as possible, a perfect fruit, and the selection of such groups of qualities that will meet a market demand during the season. That one principal variety, like the Washington Navel, can fulfill these conditions is impossible. Several well-chosen varieties will meet the market demand. If a relatively sweet orange for the early market is desired we should choose one in which the processes of fruit growth hasten the period of ripening, as in the Washington Navel and Homosassa—one the great seedless orange of California, and the other a modified staminal type. This caution should be given as to the Navel and all seedless varieties. There is a subtle and delicate citrus quality that must be associated in all the qualities of an orange. It can only be described by saying that it appeals to the intellectual percep- tions, as that natural goodness and excellence inherent in the choice products of nature. This can be eliminated from the orange and render the fruit insipid and valueless. We must be careful in the selections of stock and bud so that we will draw toward this noble fruit and gift of nature the happy union of staminate and blended qualities that awards ‘this halo of ambrosial excellence. If we select the late varieties—the St. Michael] and the Tardive—we will have in the first a strong late orange, and in the last a seedless orange, both of good qualities. Could we add a seedling, a medium early, sweet, with few seeds, and a 42 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. fine citrus quality, we will have oranges that will supplement the Navel with comparative excellence and meet all market demands. With the varieties modified and adapted to the best climatic areas to produce the best fruit, and perpetuated in bud and seed by scientific direction to respond to normal productiveness, growth, and longevity, a foundation will be laid to rear a great and glorious State. PERIOD OF FRUITFULNESS. There seems to be quite prevalent a belief or impression that the period of profitable production of the Washington Navel orange ceases after the seventh or eighth year. *“Jtis not claimed that our trees are short lived, but that their period of fruitfulness is to be short, and that the budded varieties differ materially from the seedling in this regard. But has such a difference been shown to exist in their actual periods of fruitfulness? Let us make a comparison. In the first place the Navel and seedling are both upon the same root, and therefore start out in life upon the same footing. For the first seven or eight years the seedling tree draws upon its plot of ground for such elements of plant-food only as will produce growth of leaf, limb, and root, asking for no fruit-forming material, as it has made no fruit. It then begins to use spar- ingly of its reserve materials, and within the next seven or eight years it will so nearly have exhausted the fruit-forming elements in the natural soil that it no longer produces profit- able crops, they being small in quantity and inferior in quality. Now, in the case of the Navel tree, you have taken a bud from a precocious variety of tree, and by uniting it with a seedling root have produced the most ravenous feeder of the citrus family, and also the most perfect machine for making superb fruit yet known to the business. It is not content with the slow, plodding habit of the seedling tree, but even in its second yéar begins to dig up the necessary materials for constructing fruit, and it will continue to do so in an increased ratio until about the same length of time occupied in the process of the seedling, when it too will have used up so much of its available *C. E. Bemis, in essay read at Farmers’ Institute, at Covina, November, 1899. CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—FRUITFULNESS. 43 material that it can no longer increase its output; the differ- ence, if any, in the time occupied being easily explained by the superior texture and greater amount of nutriment con- tained in the Navel over the seedling fruit.” THE AGE OF CITRUS TREES.* APPARENT DETERIORATION IN OLD NAavEL OrcHARDS—DUE TO ImMpRoPpER MANAGEMENT. The questions I here present are, then: Is there a lack of vitality in the tree as it grows old? Jf there appears to be, what is the cause, and can we remove it? I find that there is a radical difference in the condition of the oldest groves. Some are marvelously beautiful and _ pro- ductive, and others are light of color and scant of fruit. In some fairly good orchards there are sections in which the trees are unhealthy, and this to an extent to reduce the yield to an unsatisfactory figure. The fact that the good and bad orchards, and the large number which are neither very good nor very bad, are located under practically identical conditions of soil, climate, and irrigation facilities, is proof enough that the cause of unsatisfactory conditions of tree and product is not due to any constitutional weakness of the tree, but to differing methods of treatment. I am thoroughly convinced that the tree is above the average in vitality, and that there is no justification for the belief that it is to become nonproductive as it grows old. It is a fact which can not be denied that many of the oldest orchards are yielding light crops, and that their foliage lacks that dark rich green characteristic of the thoroughly healthy orange tree. But I am satisfied that the fault is not with the tree, but with the owner. It is true that the young bearing orchards average better crops than do the old ones. But it is also true that the very best trees, the richest foliaged and heaviest bearing, are the oldest in the valley. These facts seem to point clearly to causes outside the tree itself for the * Extracts from report of E. W. Holmes, of Riverside, who, at the request of the Riverside Horticultural Club, made an investigation regarding the alleged tendency of the Washington Navel orange tree to fall off in product- iveness with the approach of age. In ‘‘Press and Horticulturist,’ January 6, 1900. 44 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. unsatisfactory condition of many orchards; and, having satis- fied myself that many of the oldest orchards are the best, I have thought it well to endeavor to discover why it is that orchards adjacent to those which are most healthy and prolific are sometimes either a burden to their owners, or, at best, return but very moderate dividends. It can not be doubted that to three or four causes is due the failure of many groves. I do not mean absolute failure in all cases, but failure as compared to the best. I do not think the average orchardist will admit his fault in the matter. I find a majority deny conditions in their groves which are apparent enough to an unprejudiced investigator. J am convinced that: First—We do not feed the trees sufficiently. The Navel bears every year, and sooner exhausts the soil of the essential elements than such trees as rest from time to time. Second—We do not stir the soil to a sufficient depth, nor do we take all the pains we should to pulverize it finely. In rich, red, clayey soil, most prized because it produces the highest colored and best keeping fruit, there is invariably a tendency to form a crust of somewhat impervious soil below the depth regularly reached by the plow and cultivator. This is hardly “hardpan,” such as is found in some sections. It will allow the roots to penetrate, and softens into cultivable shape if irrigation is long continued. But it is sufficiently hard to pre- vent the penetration of ordinary irrigation, and to prevent the soil from receiving the full benefit of the soluble fertilizers applied. It prevents the aération of the soil, without which the essential process of nitrification is impossible. In nine out of ten of the orchards examined I find evidence that its presence has rendered partially useless much of the fertilizer, water, and labor used. Third—The disposition is to economize by delaying the application of water in the hot season until the tree plainly manifests its need. This policy, at least in a soil like that of Riverside and Redlands, is a mistake. I admit that by the use of manures which lighten the soil it can be made to absorb and retain water and fertilizer, and that such treatment is a valuable aid where water is scant; but I find the best results obtained where no attention is paid to the theory of infrequent irrigation, and water is regularly supplied. A fact to which I wish to call your attention is that in every CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—FRUITFULNESS. 45 one of the healthy and productive old orchards these three points of treatment are faithfully attended to, while I find not one of the ordinary or inferior orchards in which either one or two, and sometimes all three, are disregarded. Ido not mean that they are intentionally ignored in the latter class. The owner hasn’t the means to properly manure his orchard. He follows the conventional method of cultivating, and would be surprised if one should intimate that his work was lacking in thoroughness. He runs water in abundance, and often enough, but the shallow stirring of strong soil prevents its proper pene- tration. It has been a surprise to myself to find that I have failed in thoroughness, and I am sure that if others shall exam- ine they will find that there is need ofimprovement. Old orange groves will not be profitable unless we use intelligent methods. Where unhealthy trees exist because of a shallow soil, or where the rise of surface water has made the locality unfit for citrus fruits, or where the frost too often does injury, what I have said does not apply. Such conditions it is impossible to overcome. No man can study the condition of our older orchards with- out having proof supplied of the truth of the scriptures to the effect that “To him who hath shall be given.” Men of wealth who dare to invest heavily in fertilizers every season, and whose orchards want neither for intelligent labor nor for irri- gation, are the ones whose dividends are assured and regular. Handicapped with a heavy mortgage, the intelligent and shrewd orchardist may be forced to try to extract profit from his grove with the least possible annual expenditure, and may make thorough cultivation and faithful attention serve fairly well with a scant supply of fertilizer. But he can not attain the results achieved by him who adds to these methods the ability to furnish the fertilizing elements needed. I have pointed out the fact that certain old orchards have maintained health and productiveness, while others, having equal if not superior natural conditions, have proved either only moderately profitable or a source of loss to their owners. Many of the less successful groves have not apparently been neglected, and, it may be, have failed to use only one of the three essentials to success. It is possible that the calling of the attention of their growers to the practices which have won most marked success may lead them to appreciate the need of 46 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. improving their methods, instead of drifting along in the easier, conventional way which is common. Young orchards generally pay while the soil is virgin and its abuse has not begun to affect the product. It will be well if the conceit which has always characterized the residents of each young fruit settlement shall be eliminated before its orchardists dis- cover that to maintain the reputation of their horticultural youth there is need of constant and faithful labor, and a gen- erous feeding of the soil before its best elements shall have been extracted. Providence has given to each orchardist, in the natural fertility of his soil, a little capital with which to work. He can not draw upon it without loss, and permanent pros- perity depends upon maintaining it. It is because this is gone that we hear of the decadence of the older orange trees, and to nothing else. The pioneers have had some expensive expe- riences, and it will be well if the later comers shall benefit by them. General statements regarding my conclusions may have more force if I give brief reference to the methods of successful growers. There are few orchardists in Southern California who are better known for the quality of their fruit than W. H. Backus. Though he has never aimed to unduly force his trees, he has had uni- form success in securing regular crops of -fine-textured fruit. His orchard is one of the very oldest, and his trees have the disadvantage of having been planted only a rod apart. The soil is heavy. If there were anything in the claim of the deterioration of the Navel tree it should find justification here. And yet the trees are generally fine in color, and always well loaded with fruit. What methods have maintained the uniform excellence of this orchard? Mr. Backus has always used fer- tilizers generously, always given from a ton to a ton and a half to the acre. He says he made the mistake of using a smaller quantity than usual last year, and applied it too late, and is satisfied he is a loser by so doing. He thinks it is a serious mistake to wait until the trees show need before giving water. To allow the soil to bake once is to make all subsequent irri- gation less effective. He has always cultivated deeply, and considers this one of the fundamental causes of his success. Mr. Backus has never failed of good results with any of the high-grade manufactured fertilizers, and he will continue to use them. CITRUS CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA—FRUITFULNESS. 47 Another old Navel orchard is that of Ernest Meacham. He has five acres of trees, twenty-two years of age, planted a rod apart. He has attained results so much superior to some of his neighbors that his methods are worth considering. Having con- siderable livestock, he uses his stable manure by making a dead furrow across the regular irrigating lands, into which he puts it while fresh, three to five feet to the tree, immediately cover- ing it with the plow. In the course of the year he gets over the whole place in this way. This sends the nitrogenous mat- ter deep with the rains and irrigating water, and the soil is made mellow by its presence. In the late winter he applies ten to twelve pounds of guano, with which is mixed three per cent of potash and five per cent of sulphate of iron. He irri- gates thoroughly every thirty days in summer, and his appli- ances of his own devising for deep furrowing and thorough cultivation close up to the trees, while his team walks in the center of the land, are worth examining. These trees are exceptionally fine in color, and the quantity and quality of the fruit are remarkable. There isn’t a sick tree in the lot, except one or two attacked by gophers. For several years this five- acre orchard has yielded between three and four thousand boxes of oranges, running perhaps ninety per cent fancy. This orchard most effectually demonstrates the vigor and pro- ductiveness of the old Navel tree when properly cared for. Everybody knows the Barny orchard, the largest of the origi- nal Navel orchards. It has always had the best of care, and, if anything, has been over-fertilized at times; and yet, in spite of the harm the terminal branches got from the April frost of two years ago, is marvelously beautiful to-day, with its dark green foliage and heavy crop of splendid fruit. It has water regu- larly, and is always thoroughly cultivated. I might multiply such evidences of the effect of proper treat- ment, in every one of which the three points I have referred to are those in which they differ from the less successful. It is, however, proper to give a type of another class of orch- ards in which success has been attained where no special effort at ideal cultivation and irrigation has been attempted. Sucha one is that of D. P. Chapman. It is an old orchard of ten acres and has yielded from four thousand to seven thousand boxes annually for many years. I can find no other cause for its superior and constant yield but the fact that its owner never 48 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. loses a chance to apply any kind of manures, natural or arti- ficial, which he believes good. Such applications, with average treatment as regards soil and water use, have proven a good investment. If there is a criticism due here, it is that excessive use of nitrogen may have caused rather more than the usual scab among the trees. Another experience, valuable as illustrating the effect of ts best treatment upon a comparatively young Navel orchard that had suffered from the March frost, is that of A. P. Johnson. In spite of the fact that a large proportion of the bearing wood had been removed, a heavy application of fertilizer, properly applied, brought not only a very profitable crop the follow- ing winter, but, with a later generous application, a crop the present season, which, for uniform excellence, it is hard to excel. Mr. Johnson’s old seedlings, upon which he has put, perhaps, seventy-five cents’ worth of fertilizer to the tree, appear to have twenty to twenty-five boxes of fruit each at the present time. But the transforming effect of heavy fertilizing is more conclusively shown in the old Kearn place, which, starved and neglected in past years, had a crop last season not worth the cost of picking, while to-day, as the result of expending ninety cents to the tree for fertilizer last year, there is a transforma- tion in appearance and a crop which will give a handsome dividend. J mention this not as directly bearing upon the main topic we are discussing, but as showing the effect of generous expenditures in restoring the health of an orange grove. The cure for tree weakness and nonproduction is simply proper tree food in ample quantity, timely irrigation, and deep and thorough cultivation. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 49 THE ORANGE. THE SWEET ORANGE. Citrus aurantium dulces, Linn. The sweet orange belongs to the natural order Awrantiace, and the origin of the different members of this citrus family is extremely doubtful, having been cultivated from a remote period of antiquity, but is supposed to belong originally to A. Compound unifoliate leaf of the orange (Cit- rus aurantium), 1, Point of union, marked by an articulation; 2. Petiole, winged on both sides; 3. Lamina; 4. Flowering branch of Citrus bigaradia; 5 and 6. The fruit; 7. Flower.complete: §&. Pistil; 9. Transverse section of ovary. (After Haldane.) j China and India, and was not taken to Europe until centuries after the Christian era. Its cultivation has been confined to the countries adjacent to the Mediterranean, for only there is the climate suitable for its best development. Seedling trees under favorable conditions have lived for centuries. At the convent of St. Sabina, at Rome, there is a tree 32 feet high which is 4c 50 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. said to be over 600 years old; and another at Hampton Court, grown under glass, over 200 years old. Spain and Sicily also have trees of great age. At Versailles there is a seedling planted in 1421. At Nice there is a tree 50 feet high, with a trunk over 3 feet in diameter, which is said to produce 6,000 to 7,000 oranges in a year. The flowers are white, the leaves lanceolate or oblong. The petiole is not so markedly winged as in the bitter-sour orange, but is always present to a greater or less degree. The fruit is generally an oblate sphere, pyriform or elliptical, of a gold- en color when ripe, and full of delicate pulp and sweet, refreshing juice. SEEDLINGS. — Pri- mary root stout, taper- ing, twisted, furnished after atime with a few lateral rootlets, longi- tudinally ridged and furrowed, at least when dry. HHypocotyl —subterra- nean, short, stout, curved, longitudinally ridged, colorless, 2-3.5 mim. long. Cotyledons two, oppo- site or frequently alter- nate, colorless, fleshy, not leaving the testa, but very often com- pressed and shapeless, owing to the presence of two, three, or four embryos in the seed. Stem woody, erect, terete (striate when dried and somewhat twisted), pale green, glabrous or minutely pubescent; tirst internode 2.5-4 cm. long; sec- ond, and sometimes the third and fourth undeveloped, or the third 3 mm. and the fourth 2.25 mm. lone. Leaves simple, cauline, alternate, exstipulate, petiolate, evergreen, shin- ing, coriaceous, thickly dotted with immersed glands, strongly odoriferous when bruised, glabrous. : : Nos. land 2. Generally opposite by the nondevelopment of the internode, more or less obliquely obcordate and wppearing deformed; very shortly petiolate. Nos. 3 and 4 (in specimen examined). Alternate, elliptic, obtuse, obso- Seedlings of Citrus avrantium dulces—yearling plants. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 51 letely serrate, minutely emarginate, with alternate, ascending lateral nerves; petioles channeled above, narrowly winged, articulated with the stem below and the leaf above. Ultimate leaves oblong-ovate, acuminate, emarginate, minutely and obso- letely serrate, pellucidly punctate, with a thin marginal line of larger glands; lamina articulated with the winged petiole, which is ovate in outline, with a short, stout, not winged base.—Str Joun Lussocek, ‘Contributions to Our Knowledge of Seedlings,” Vol. I, 1892. ORANGE TYPES—VARIETIES. (a) Seepiincs* that have lost their parental characteristics through degeneration; (b) MopiFriep SEEDLINGS, types produced by chance, through natural intermixing of pollen, with characteristics unlike their parent, remaining constant, but with tendency to revert to the mother type; (c) Hysrips. (a) SEEDLING TYPES, produced by chance. MayYBERRY’s PREMIER.—Originated at San Gabriel. CoopEr’s SEEDLING.—Originated at Santa Barbara. KERCHEVAL’S QUEEN.—Originated at Los Angeles. Batpwin’s Favorite.—Originated at San Gabriel. NicaraGcuan.—Originated at Los Angeles. Tauiti.—Originated at Los Angeles. IXL.—Originated at Los Angeles. Evureka.—Originated at Los Angeles. AcapuLco.— Originated at Los Angeles. (6) MODIFIED TYPES, produced by chance, the embryo in the seed having been influenced by natural cross-pollina- tion and remaining constant. WotFkiLu’s Best.—Originated at Los Angeles; fruit some- what flattened and medium to large, deep orange red, fine grain and pulp; ripens early. Konan.—Originated at Los Angeles. Fruit large, rough and thick-skinned; tree very thorny; ripens early. Joppa.—Originated at San Gabriel. Fruit medium to large; oblong, and uniform. Witson’s Best (syn., Lake Vineyard).—Originated at San Gabriel. Fruit medium to large; tree handsome grower. (c) HYBRIDS. *The term “seedling” is applied to any type of orange reared indiscrimi- nately from seed. 52 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Navel Type. Wasuineton Naven.—This variety is the most widely known and is properly styled the “king of oranges.” The fruit has proved of such exceptional quality and is in such general favor that its production overtops all other varieties. The name “ Washington Navel” was applied to this variety in California, to distinguish it from the “ Australian Navel,” a shy bearer with a similar peculiar mark, and because it was received from Washington, having been imported from Brazil by the Department of Agriculture. It was for a time called “Bahia” (place of origin), also ‘Riverside Navel,” denoting the locality where the first trees were planted, and which are the parents of all trees of this variety in the State. The first orange shipments consist of the Washington Navel, which constitute over one half of the output, but it is shipped later in the season, extending into June and July. Fruit large, highly colored, solid and heavy, skin smooth and of a very fine texture, very juicy, highly flavored, with First picture of the Navel orange on melting pulp, seedless (except eS occasionally—evidently the re- sult of pollen influence). Tree semi-dwarf, good and prolific bearer, medium thorny, a rapid grower and early bearer. Foli- age deep green, heavy and compact, leaves large and promi- nently winged. Branches deep green and smooth, inclined to roundish. Stock sturdy, with well-balanced limbs. The blossoms are double (having a secondary blossom within), and rarely have any pollen. Ripens early. Most of the early publications of Brazil mention the Lavanja de ombigo—Navel orange. The first illustration of the Navel orange appears in a volume, “Table XVI—Historie Naturalis de Arboribus et Fructibus, Libri Decem. Johannis Jonstoni, Medicine Doctoris. Francofurti o/m, MDCLXII” (“The Natu- ral History of Trees and Fruits, Ten Books. By John John- son, Doctor of Medicine. Frankfort on Main, 1662”), referred to as Aurantium fetiferum. The accompanying illustration, photographed from the original plate in the library of Prof. Edw. L. Greene, of the Catholic University of America, at Washington, D. C., was secured through the kindness of Wm. A. Taylor, Assistant U.S. Pomologist, to whom the writer is (Repucen.) CLUSTER OF WASHINGTON NAVELS—“ KING OF ORANGES.” 54 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. indebted for assistance. Although no description of the Navel orange appears in the text, this is the earliest reference known. M. George Gallesio, Auditor of the State Council and Sub- Prefect of Savona, in a treatise on the citrus family, written early in the last century, makes mention of a variety of orange, double flowered. The author describes the Aurantiwm feti- ferum as presenting a superfcetation, an imperfect development of many germs inclosed within another or united under the envelope or an exterior germ. Those descriptions undoubtedly refer to the Navel orange. Thus it would seem that the navel formation is of great antiquity. The navel mark shows in the fruit as early as it can be examined, which in its development the navel is itself a secondary orange, in some specimens having a dis- tinct skin surrounding it. History of the Introduction af This King of Citrus Frutts.— *“During the Civil War a woman who had been sojourn- ing in Braziltold Mr. Saunders that she knew of an orange at Bahia, Brazil, that excelled any other variety she had eve vion ins wont i menedtor neg: Este oF heard of, He sent troduction of the Washington Navel orange. there and had twelve trees propagated by budding and sent to him, in 1870. They all grew, and some of them are yet bearing fruit in the orange house at Washington. None of the original trees was sent out to the public, but all were there used as stock from which to propagate by budding. Many young trees were budded from them and sent to Florida and California. Karly in 1873 Mrs. Tibbets was in Washington, just previous to going to her new home at Riverside, California. Mr. Saunders offered to give her some trees of this new and untried orange and she most gladly accepted two trees. She and her aged husband planted them beside their cottage, and when they bore fruit it was *Prof. H. E. Van Deman, in ‘ Rural New Yorker,’’ June, 1899. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 55 found to be equal to the most extravagant reports of its quality and size, and the trees were very prolific in that section. The trees sent to Florida produced equally good fruit, but they did not bear well. This is why many fruit-growers thought there was more than one variety in the lot of trees imported from Brazil; but the difference in fruitfulness came from climatic causes, as has been most thoroughly proved by many years of experience in all the orange-growing sections of the country. It has also been said that there was only one tree at the Tib- bets place, and that it was unlike the other trees bearing the LUTHER C. TIBBETS AND WIFE. The parents of the Washington Navel orange industry in California. same name. But this is a mistake, for I have gathered and eaten fruit from these two trees and had their history direct from Mr. and Mrs. Tibbets, also from Mr. Saunders. Besides, I have critically examined the trees of Bahia in bearing in many parts of Florida and California, and compared them and their fruit in many ways, and found them to be identical, except in variations caused by climate, soil, and culture. The orange’ is truly seedless and utterly devoid of pollen, and the pistils are also deformed in such a way as to render seed pro- duction from the pollen of other varieties an impossibility, except in a few very rare cases.in which seeds have been found. It is this malformation of the pistils or embryonic ovaries that 56 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. causes that peculiar umbilical mark, either large or small, which gives the name ‘navel,’ by which this orange is com- monly known.” *“'The first fruit brought to general notice was at a citrus fair in Riverside, in 1879, where it received prompt recognition. From that time forward its propagation was rapid, until to-day vast areas are devoted to its culture. The trees originally imported from Brazil still stand in the greenhouses at Wash- ington, but those that were sent out to the growers of the citrus- producing sections of the United States were small stocks budded directly from the imported ones. It is worthy of most careful Most remarkable orange ‘‘sports’’ on record. A ‘‘ Navel’’ with a perfect orange outside its fruit bud; and one with a perfect orange, skin and all, inside it. note that the valuable qualities which make the Navel the greatest of oranges developed in their entirety only upon the Pacific Coast. The peculiarity from which this orange derived its name is a navel seal, or trademark, of great importance to its grower—an unmistakable protuberance at the apex or blossom end of the fruit, not unlike the navel of the human body. Ina seeming effort to break forth from its confinement, the bud often takes the form (especially in late blooming) of a diminutive orange. This mark varies greatly in size from a dim outline to oftentimes a monstrosity, readily distinguished in the accompanying engravings from nature. Besides these normal developments specimens are sometimes found with a section of the fruit in a raised or sunken panel, with pro- * Herman H. Monroe, in ‘ Land of Sunshine,” May, 1899. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 57 nounced difference in coloring. While some are disposed to believe that through its golden-bronze skin shines the lighter blood of a remote ancestry, others in turn find an excuse for its sporting in the theory that adjacent trees bearing fruit of a different variety may by pollination stamp upon it the insignia of their species—for the Navel is more susceptible to change than any other type. From reports of the United States con- suls in the orange-growing countries of the entire world, it is clear that in no other country on the face of the globe is the Original Washington Navel orange trees, at the Tibbets homestead, Riverside, Cal. [Removed April 25, 1902, to the head of Magnolia Avenue.] culture of the orange so successful as in the Golden State, where the climatic conditions and soil are so well adapted to its perfection of character. There are two colossal old trees, ‘Los Migueletes,’ in Mairena del Alcon of Seville, which are recorded to have borne each thirty-eight thousand oranges in a single season, and those in the garden of the Alcazar, at Seville, said to have been planted at the time of King Pedro L., and others whose hollow trunks still support luxuriant foliage, which might have afforded shade for Charles I., for they date back three hundred and forty years. While the original Cali- 58 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. fornia pair may not command the admiration that do the his- torical ones cited, they should merit the fostering care of a grateful people, for they revolutionized the orange industry in Cross-section of Thomson’s Improved Navel— reduced. its infancy through- out California, and made possible great profits in the devel- opment of anorange which is unsurpass- ed in the world. To-day, these trees, whose progeny has amassed millions, stand apart from their fellows, re- ceiving meager at- tention, but still producing ‘golden apples’ in limited quantities—one which I was allow- ed to pluck showing a measurement of twelve inches in circumference and weighing a trifle over a pound.” THomson’s — Im- PROVED NAVEL.— Originated by A.C, Thomson, of Duarte. Fruit large and _ solid, juicy and sweet, of very fine texture. Rind very smooth, oil cells small. Tree is very prolific, and bears early. AUSTRALIAN NaveL.—Fruit seedy, varying in size from large to small, and splits at the navel, which is usually large and prominent. Tree strong grower, but a very shy bearer. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 59 River’s Navet.—Fruit medium, ripens late. Tree large and productive. Grown extensively by A. 8S. Chapman, at San Gabriel, who considers it one of the best varieties to grow. DovusLe ImpERtaL NaveLt.—Imported from Florida; inferior. WHITNEY’s SEEDLEss.—Florida. Atwoop’s SEEDLEss.—Florida. OrMaND’s PrizE.—Florida. Sanrorp’s.—Pink-tinted flesh; Florida. NaveEL Bioop.—Florida. BRAZILIAN NAVEL. St. Michael Type. PapeR-RINDST. MicHsaELt.—Fruit small, round, very firm, and very juicy; pale, thin skin; grows uniformly in _ size. Ripens late and keeps wellon the tree. Tree of a semi-dwarf habit, medium thorny, a good bearer. This is the thinnest-skinned orange grown, and is very popular. SMALL St. Mic Akt. Fruit very small; has thick, coarse skin; in- ferior. LarGe St. MICHAEL. § A variety without pos- | sessing the St. Michael characteristics. Fruit. large and coarse; tree } thorny. eg AzoREAN Sv. Mi- 42 CHAEL.—Fruit medi- um to large, solid, | pulp fine and melting, Dp Creda A medium thin rind, Cross-section of Paper Rind St. Michael—natural size. ‘ | 60 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. flattened, few seeds. Ripens early and keeps well on the tree. Tree is a rapid grower and a prolific bearer. Sr. Micnaev’s Eau.—Florida. Valencia Late. VALENCIA LATE (California’s favor- ite late orange).— Fruit medium size, oblong, tapering to- ward calyx. Few seeds, pulp very fine, skin smooth, flavor subacid. Ripens late. Tree thrifty grower and prolific bearer. This is the latest variety known in the State, rarely becom- ing sweet before May or June, and will hang on the tree through the summer. It has often been kept on the trees until Christmas. Cross-section of Valencia Late. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 61 Hart’s Tarpive.—(See Valencia Late, which seems iden- tical.) : Waite Orance.—Fruit large, round, light yellow, flesh white, like a lemon, very sweet, texture fine, ripens late. Tree a dwarf. Blood Type. Matta Bioop.—This is a popular variety. The fruit has a red blush on the surface, which gives it a delightful appear- ance not possessed by any other fruit. Fruit medium size, oval, has a fine texture and flavor, and is sweeter and earlier than the Maltese Blood. The pulp is marked as if streaked and mottled with blood; has very few seeds. The tree is of a dwarf habit and has a peculiar character of growth, very readily distinguished. MattesE Bioop.—Fruit oval in shape, medium in size, pulp marked a vinous red. Ripens later than the Malta Blood. Ruspy.—Resembles the Malta Blood, and the pulp is marked a vinous red. The tree is a good grower and prolific bearer. MEDITERRANEAN Bioop.—Florida. PiercE Bioop.—-Florida. Larce Brioop.—Inferior. NicaraGcuan Brioop.—Inferior. Standard Varieties with No Distinctive Mark. Rio.—Fruit and tree resemble the Mediterranean Sweet (see page 63), but the fruit is much larger, and has a thick skin. Ripens late and uneven. Homosassa.—Fruit deep orange red, flesh melting and juicy, seeds, thorny. Ripens early. Parson Brown.—-Fruit medium, oblong, and slightly flattened at the stem end, smooth skin, juicy and sweet; is sweet from the time it commences to turn. Tree medium thorny, a fair grower and a good bearer. Ripens early. AsHer’s Best.—A strain of the Mediterranean Sweet, which it resembles in both growth and fruit. Masorca.—Fruit medium size, nearly round, smooth, juicy, and few seeds. 62 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Jaffa—natural size. Jarra.—Fruit medium size, heavy and juicy, thin skinned, also very smooth. A remarkably handsome grower and nearly thornless. Cross-section of Jaffa—natural size THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 63 MEDITERRANEAN SWEET.—Fruit medium size, pulp and skin of very fine texture, solid and with few seeds; ripens late. This variety seems to require special climatic conditions and soil for Mediterranean Sweet orange tree, showing habit. productiveness, etc. its successful fruiting. At Colton the tree is a good grower and ranks with the semi-dwarfs. Tree thornless, and one of the most beautiful. Tangierine—Mandarin Type. Citrus aurantiwm, var. Nobilis, Linn. Of Japaneseand ‘ Chinese origin. The fruit is gen- erally small, deep red without and within, skin loose and easily detach- ed, containing sweet juice, quite depressed. Leaves of most varieties vary, but most are somewhat linear and unarmed. On account of the fo- liage being of a Teneeine fruit and branch—reduced. 64 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, weeping habit the best results have been attained by budding on large stocks, quite high from the ground, allowing the branches to form a large and compact head. By this method the trees become more fruitful and uniform in shape. This tree requires little or no outside pruning and grows very sym- metrical. r Satsuma (Unshiu i and Oonshiu).— Japan. Fruit of me- dium size, flattened, rind easily detached, of exceedingly fine texture, sweet and nearly seedless. Tree dwarf and remarka- bly hardy, especially when worked on the Citrus — trifoliata— the deciduous orange. Kineg.—Siam. Fruit large, very rough rind, segments cleave when fully ripe, very highly flavored. Tree a- handsome grower, very thorny. Dancy TANGIE- RINE.—Fruit small, much flattened, pulp very sweet and fragrant, color deep red, nearly seedless. The foliage closely resembles that of the sweet orange. Tree thorny and an upright grower. Strvens.—Japan. Bears two crops a year, maturing in summer and winter. Tree of dwarf, bushy growth; thornless. Fruit pale yellow; juice subacid, delicious. Grown by Mrs. L. C. Stevens, of Santa Barbara. KinnELoa.— Fruit large, depressed, flattened, few seeds, quite juicy. Skin very easily detached and fragrant. Tree good grower, very productive. Broad-Leaf Mandarin tree. CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. i ep Willow-Leaf Mandarin—natural size. | Sieyenkematarel size. VARIETIES OF THE “CITRUS AURANTIUM NOBILIS.” 5c 65 66 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Broap-Lear MANDARIN.—Japan. Ornamental only; fruit of no commercial value. Oruer Varieries.—Bitter Loose Jacket, Cleopatra, Dr. Cogill’s Tangierine, Paragon Tangierine, China Sweet, Mary Bremont, Narrow-Leaf Mandarin, Thorny Mandarin, Emperor Mandarin, China, Coolie, Canton, Willow-Leaf Tangierine, Broad-Leaf Tangierine. Seedling Tangierine tree in A. 5S. Chapman’s orchard at San Gabriel, showing habit of growth, etc. Miscellaneous Japanese Citrus Fruits. The following varieties of miscellaneous citrus fruits have been introduced from Japan, and after being thoroughly tested were found to lack the essential qualities required for their culture on a large scale, although many possess considerable merit: Natsu-Dai-Da1.—A species of pomelo; coarse. Dar-Dat.—Very thick rind; coarse. Yoma-Buxi-Mixan.—Greenish color; rind thick; coarse. Suirawa-Kosr.—Small; very thick rind and many seeds. Beni-Kos1.—Very highly colored; thin rind and few seeds. CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE, PLATE V. Broad-Leaf Mandarin—natural size. VARIETIES OF THE “CITRUS AURANTIUM NOBILIS” 68 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Kry-Kunenzpo.—Thin rind and few seeds. Iuxo.—Small, with very thin rind and full of seeds. Toxo-lupzu.— Very small; a species of Bergamot lemon, JAGATARA-MIKAN.—A species of pomelo; very coarse. Marv-BusnHiokan.—A species of citron. To-Mikan.—A rusty brown orange; very thick rind and full of seeds. Kinu-Gawa-Mixan.—Very large and bitter, Busulu-Kan.—Fruit unsightly, resembles a bunch of fingers; said to possess medicinal qualities. Bushiu-Kan—The fingered citron of Japan. Used for medicinul purposes. To-Dat-Dat.—Rusty brown; very coarse and bitter. Beni-Mrkan.—Very small; thin rind, with few seeds. Kawani-Mixan.—A species of Mandarin. : Krnokuni-Mixan.—A species of Tangierine. Kos1.—Rusty brown; very thin rind; bitter and full of seeds. Iupzu.—Very thick rind; coarse and bitter. Marumi-Kinkan.—The Kumquat. Kasusa.—Pulp fine, seeds few, rind thick, pulp white. Naruto-Mixan.—Rusty brown; inferior. : Ama-Dat-Da1.—Rusty brown; medium thin rind, pulp white, few seeds, bitter. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 69 Olive-Shaped Kumquat—natural size. Kumquat Type. Citrus aurantium, var. Japon- ica, Thunberg. OLIVE-SHAPED.— Fruit very small, olive-shaped, rind thick, yellow, smooth, sweet-scented, very little pulp, contains many seeds. Tree dwarf (a bush), four to six feet; a very prolific bearer. The fruit is edible whole; the rind has a pleas- antaroma. Valuable for pre- serves and marmalades. Round Kumquat—natural size. Rounp.-—Smaller than the Olive-shaped; fruit round, some- what acid. KiInKAN.—Fruit very small; sweet juice. 70 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. THE SOUR ORANGE. Citrus vulgaris, var. Bigaradia, Risso. From the species vulyaris all others are supposed to have sprung, which are sub-species proper. The fruit of the Bigaradia and its many decendants is of a red orange color, with a rugged skin, rough and porous. Pulp yellow, and the juice extremely bitter. Leaf large and petiole Sour Orange (Citris vulgaris, var, Bigaradia). highly winged. Flower large and highly perfumed. There are many varieties of this species, and the fruit of some is used in making marmalade and preserves, and the flowers for the manufacture of perfumery. This species does not grow as high nor as robust as the sweet orange, but on account of its hardiness and exemption from THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 71 disease much attention has been given to its culture for stocks. While the sweet orange requires good soil and high, dry eleva- tion, the sour orange seems best adapted to low, wet soils, such as it is grown in in Florida, known as “hammocks,” and along the margins of swamps. But those kinds of land do not exist in our State, and while the sour orange stock is hardy beyond question and thrives in our dry soils under entirely different conditions, it has not superseded the sweet orange stock or Tahiti Seedling, as was predicted it would, and perhaps never will. Trees grown on sour stocks, of the same age, show a marked difference of growth in almost every section of the State. The trunks are not as large as those on sweet stocks, and show less expansion of root system. The influence of the stocks on the bud is also traceable. Those on sweet root show a darker foliage, with a tendency to improvement in the quality of the fruit. The trees become of extraordinarily large size, and the product twice or more as large. The suscepti- bility of the sweet stock to the gum disease is obviated by the care bestowed upon it, which is now practiced and thoroughly understood. Types, Sub-Species, or Varieties of C. Bigaradia. The following types, sub-species, or varieties of C. bigaradia are grown in Florida. Occasionally some are met with here, but rarely: Birrer SwEeT.—Medium size, juicy, sweet, inner rind bitter. Tree indistinguishable from the Sour. Native wild orange of Florida. Bitter Sweet (Purrrp’s).—An improved variety of the Bitter Sweet. Sour.—Native wild orange of Florida; fruit large, coarse; juice acid, inner rind bitter. , Sour (Irarian).—Tree thornless and vigorous. Witiow- Lear (ITaLtAn).—Resembles the Italian Sour. VARIEGATED (Sour).—Very ornamental; leaves and fruit mottled with white. VARIEGATED (Birrer SWEET). Tarsus Sour. MELANGOLO Sour. Sour Sweet. ~l wo STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. THE BITTER ORANGE. Citrus awrantium, var. Bergamia, Risso. The flowers of the Bergamot orange are small, white, and highly scented. Leaves oblong, elongated, acute or obtuse, the under side pale. Petiole more or less winged. Fruit pale yellow, pyriform or depressed, the oil-vesicles concave, pulp acid, and the whole highly perfumed. The tree is of semi- dwarf habit, and very hardy. There area great many varieties of this species, some bearing large fruits, the majority of which are worthless, and some bearing small fruits, only valuable for the manufacture of orange and essential oils. The peel of the bitter orange is used in medicine as an aromatic tonic, and the fruit is also used in making marmalade and preserves. Many of these are grown in Europe for the essential oil they contain, from which is made a substance known as bergamot camphor. In this State varieties of this species have only been grown for ornament, to which purpose they are well suited. Varieties of C. Bergamia. Bercamot.—Fruit large, rough, flattened, very aromatic. Flowers large, double, and very fragrant. Bouquet.—Flowers double and very fragrant. Leaves large and glossy. Fruit bitter. DousiE-FLowerEep.—Large double flowers, very aromatic; highly prized for the bloom. Larce Marmanape.—Grown in Florida; highly prized. Sweer SeviLLe.—Grown in Florida. Puinip’s Brrrer Sweet. MYRTLE-LEAF TYPE. Citrus aurantium, var. Myrtifolia, Gallesio. Tree very ornamental, dwarf, foliage densely packed together, leaf small, ike the myrtle. Flowers small, pure white, and very fragrant. Fruit bitter. Myrtir Lrar.—Yellow fruited. Myrrie Lear.—Red fruited. MyrtLe Lear.— White fruited. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES, 73 THE SHADDOCK. Citrus aurantium, var. Decumana, Willd. SEEDLINGS.—Hypocotyl very short, subterranean. Cotyledons subterranean, and remaining in the seed till they decay, oblong- elliptic; obtuse, plano-convex, fleshy, sessile, and both directed to one side, Fruiting branch of Shaddock (Citrus decumana)—reduced. greenish-yellow above, yellowish beneath, somewhat falcate, 13 mm. long and 6 mm. wide. Stem, soon becoming woody, covered with a short, very fine pubescence; ‘ . . first internode 5-5.5 cm. long; the one to three following ones suppressed, or from two to four of the leaves on the same level; succeeding ones again elongated. Leaves as in C. aurantium. 74 STATE BOARD OF TIORTICULTURE, First pair opposite, orbicular, emarginate, subsessile, not articulated. Petiole crenate. Second pair often on the same level as the first two, so that there isa whorl of four. When distinct, oblong or elliptic, obtuse, otherwise like the two preceding. Fifth leaf (where the first four are whorled) elliptic, cuneate at the base. Sixth leaf obovate-elliptic, more elongate and cuneate at the base, with a swelling of the midrib some distance above the base, corresponding to articulation. Seventh leaf ovate, bluntly pointed, articulated with an oblanceolate winged petiole, obsoletely crenate.—LrInn.xus. Modified type of “Citrus Decumana’’—A hybrid. (Reduced one half.) Fruit mostly pyriform, very large, pale yellow, with rugged skin, very thick and bitter; pulp in some sorts white with green tint,in others dark green. Fruit contains many large seeds, and very little juice, which is bitter acid. The tree is a rapid grower and very ornamental, but the fruit is of very little value, except for decorative purposes. It is greatly THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—-VARIETIES. oO sought by the Chinese during their New Year celebrations to ornament their homes and joss-houses, and many thousands are annually imported by them from China for this purpose. The fruit is called by the Chinese yw shw and gon lack. The rind and flowers are said to furnish an essential oil of consider- able value, and the skin is used in the manufacture of bitters. The propagation of the shaddock is very simple. It comes “true” from seed, or mostly so; is budded on almost any kind of citrus stock, orange pre- ferred; the tree requires less care than any tree of the citrus family. Varieties. Cuina. — Fruit very large, pyri- form; tree large grower. Boop. — Fruit very large with pink flesh. FORBIDDEN Fruit. — Fruit very large, pyri- form. MamMmMoru.— Fruit extraordi- narily large, pyri- form, pale yellow. Pomelo tree in fruit. THE POMELO.* Citrus aurantium, var. Pomelanus, Willd. Leaves large, very dark green, somewhat lanceolated and notched at their edges. Leaf stalk markedly winged. Flowers *The name “ grape fruit’? has been applied by common consent to this fruit, from its habit of growing in clusters, but such name is wrong and misleading. It should be known solely as Pomelo, which is popular and botanically correct. 76 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. white (like the orange), large and fleshy (like the citron), and arranged in large clusters. Fruit of most varieties extraordi- narily large, round or pyriform, with a smooth yellow skin. Tree a rapid grower and prolific bearer, with short and often flattened branches. Owing to the incomplete research and lack of knowledge of the species Pomelanus, a hybrid, botanists have confounded it with Decumana, and have joined the two under the latter name, but it has no place there. That Pomelanus (pomelo) was confounded with Decumana (shaddock) was no doubt on account of its having sprung from the latter and on account of both species bearing fruits of extraordinary size; decumana (Latin for huge) has been indiscriminately applied to both. The chief characteristics of all these fruits, distinguishing them from the different varieties of the orange, are associated with their size and color. They are all, or nearlv all, larger than the largest orange, and are uniformly of a pale yellow. In texture the rind may be smooth or even polished; it is sel- dom rough, nearly always firm, and not very thick. The pulp is pale yellow or greenish white, sometimes pink or crimson; the vesicles (juice bags) of the pulp are more distinet than in the orange; very juicy, somewhat sweetish, with a distinct but agreeable, bitter flavor. The pith surrounding the segments possesses more of the bitter than the pulp, but it is less agree- able, and on that account is never eaten. In shape these fruits vary a good deal. Some are quite globular, others somewhat flattened at the top and tapering below, forming a pear-shaped body. Even in the globular fruits the top is more or less flattened. There are none, we believe, pointed at both ends. The special alkaloid of most varieties of the pomelo contains a bitter principle, which, while its medicinal virtues are con- ceded, has not yet, I regret to say, been defined by chemical examination. Neither is it safe to consider it quinine, for there are scores of vegetable bitters which are not quinine. The presumption therefore is, that it is a unique bitter prin- ciple peculiar to this fruit. Observations made by William C. Fuller, of Colton, and myself show that large confluent and well-defined oil cells in the citrus indicate sweet fruit, and especially does this law of energy follow when applied to the pomelo. Considering the purpose for which the demand for this fruit comes, tendency THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA— VARIETIES. 77 to undue sweetness should be avoided and varieties producing fruit with a delicate bitter should be sought. Within the past five years a good deal of interest has been manifested in this State respecting the pomelo. For medicinal purposes it leads all the citrus fruits, and its value from this point of view is as yet unknown. Invalids find it just the thing to tone up their system; it is a sure pre- ventive of that languid feeling so prevalent in spring; when used in fevers it is fully as beneficial as quinine without the deleterious effect of that drug, and is one of the finest tonics in the world. Women find it exceedingly valuable. A German physician pronounces it a cure for incipient consumption and kindred lung troubles. It is a well-known fact that people with weak lungs wintering in Florida have derived permanent benefits from eating the fruit regularly. Varieties. A number of growers and shippers from different sections of the southern part of the State collected samples of pomelos from the numerous shipping points and on March 1 (1897) met in Los Angeles and tested them. In the opinion of those assembled the best shape was the flat round; and best color and texture were a lemon color and a peel similar to the St. Michael orange. The most desirable sizes wanted by the trade are those that pack 42, 56, 64, and 80 to the box. Duarte SeEepiinc.—A Florida seedling, grown at Duarte, met with much favor. The fruit was a flat round, growing from 42 to 80 (per box) in size, with a skin the color of a lemon, and no thicker than that of a Navel orange. The fruit is heavy and a delightful “bitter sweet,” so much enjoyed in the East. It had quite a few seeds, but very little rag or waste. The peel and section linings are very bitter. Cotton TERRACE SEEDLING.*—Grown at Colton; was the next best variety tested. The fruit had a thicker rind anda more orange color and much more rag and waste; the flavor, however, was nearly the same. Prof. H. B. Heiges, late U.S. Pomologist, says of this seed- ling, in a letter to the Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles: “The California seedling pomelo was much finer and thinner *Sample was given the committee thinking the same was for immediate use and not for comparison. ALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. Y ) C LTON TERRACE SEEDLING POMELO, CO CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. TRIUMPH WALTER’S VARIETIES OF THE ie POMELO. POMELO. POMELO. PLATE VII. 80 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. in the skin than the Triumph, and was of superior quality; in fact, no pomelo that has been received-by this Division sur- passed in quality the California seedling.” Fruit medium to large, heavy, subacid and delicate bitter, full of seeds; skin smooth, light lemon color, very small oil cells, turning slightly orange when mature. From an analysis made by Chemist George E. Colby, of the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Califor- nia, I am able to compare the relative merits of this seedling as against the analysis of the Triumph, a variety which is now very popular, as follows: Colton Terrace Physical Analysis— Triumph. Seedling. Average weight, in grams _.-...--.---------- 440. 430. RinQwede. 2ceee we den secre ces cee cea. ZR 30.7 % Pulp, pressed ... 2:. -c+-s+..-+.+- 29.5 % SCCUS 2 225 sacccteic te coms Gree Soee eee eee pees 3.407, JUICE LA eps eee aot Ponies eaiteiae cetceretele 1.38% Analysis of Jwice— Solid contents, by spindle..-.----. --- --.--- , 10.00% Gta SWOATS Yo pe oo eeteteee to coes asezcseose “OO0% 6.80% BAVC CHAE Graces yee en ete eae ieee eee RBUST 2.00% TriumpH.—This variety, in the opinion of those assembled, ranked next. This was considered a fine-looking fruit, full of juice, but lacking in the real pomelo taste of the first two named. The texture of both peel and fruit was pronounced very desirable. CommErciaL.—This variety attracted much attention for its large, desirable size, its fine color and shape, and also that it had a good lot of juice, but did not compare in flavor with the first three varieties named. AuRANTIUM.—A medium to small variety, with a sweet rind; imported from Florida. It is said to be a cross between an orange and a pomelo, partakes greatly of the orange, and does not possess the eccentric bitter principle so much sought in this fruit. TuHeEsca BLoop.—From Florida; a large pear-shaped variety, with pink-colored pulp, described as being “a good grower and heavy cropper. Fruit medium size, pale yellow in color, with slightly bitter pulp.” Buoop (syn., Prvk).—This variety is apparently very prolific, slight bitter principle of the species, agreeable acid; tree very vigorous, with striking foliage; an ornamental tree, as well as interesting fruit with its tinted texture; skin thicker than some. CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. PLATE VIII. | | PreRNaMBUCO PomMELO—Reduced one half. VARIETIES OF THE POMELO. 82 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Duncan.—A new variety recently introduced into the State. Much larger than an orange and smaller than a shaddock; a delicious fruit, by many preferred to an orange, Skin smooth, pale yellow, subacid. The membrane dividing the pulp is bitter and must be removed before eating the pulp. THURSBY. Marcu SEEDLEsS. LEONDARDY. THE OTAHEITE ORANGE. Citrus aurantium, var. Pumilum, Gallesio. This dwarf species of the citrus is largely grown in Florida as a stock for budding purposes. It is used to dwarf varieties of Branch and fruit of Otaheite orange—re- duced one half. the sweet orange. The tree isa shrub, never attaining a greater height than six to eight feet. The fruit is very small; the flowers are of a reddish color—a pretty ornamental shrub. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 83 DECIDUOUS ORANGE. Citrus awrantium, var. Trifoliata, Linn. A hardy deciduous species from Japan. Early in the fall it sheds its leaves and becomes entirely dor- mant, in which con- dition it passes the winter. The tree is very dwarf, of a shrub- by habit, and suitable for hedges and dwarf- ing varieties of oranges and lemons. Fruit orange yellow, spheri- cal, about one and one half inches in diame- ter. Leaves trifoliate, leaflets sessile, ellipti- cal, obtuse, on a wing- ed petiole. Branches robust, often more or less flattened; very thorny. Branch and fruit of C. trifoliata—reduced one half. MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES AND VARIETIES. The following varieties of the various species have been im- ported from different parts of the globe, many of which have proved to be duplications of varieties under different names. Owing to change of location, climatic conditions, etc., they have not come up to expectations. Those marked with an asterisk (*) possess merit; all others proved failures, although it is doubtful if any are now grown in this State: Selecta* Catania China Oval Candian* Lorretto Chio Early Spanish Paros Sabina Archipelago Parramatta Mitylene* Poor Man Tenedos Royal* Samos Chinese Oval Scio Belearic, or Ma- Parakila Imperial* Kau lorea* 84 Accaway* Shamanty Tarsus (sweet) Red Juiced Round Havana STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Silver Leaf (orna- mental) Violet Flower (or- namental) Portugal Belady* Bisry Vanigila Double Flowered Sicilian Orange of Nice Jamaican Compaida mental) Lisbon (orma- Many varieties have been introduced into Florida and many have also originated there. been introduced into California from that State. In late years many varieties have After fruiting, the majority of these also proved a further duplication of vari- eties under different names. but only to a limited extent. by A. Scott Chapman at San Gabriel. able to grow, owing to its good shipping qualities. Some of them are still grown, The Botelka is extensively grown He considers it profit- It is also grown in different portions of the northern part of the State. The following is a partial list; those marked with two aster- isks (**) being of Florida origin: Early Oblong** Ege** Botelka** Dulcissima Prata Exquisite Old Vina** Arcadia Prolitie Star Calyx Acis Centennial** Dr. May’s Best Nonpareil** Pernambuco Mediterranean (Sanford’s) Parson’s Navel** Italian Navel Double Imperial Navel Bostrom’s Navel** Richardson’s Na- vel** China (Tangier- ine, willow leaf) Golden Variegat- ed (Mandarin) Markham’s Best** Higley’s Late** Wilder** Dixon** Krause** Pride of Malta Everbearing** Peerless Madame Vinous** Prize Cunningham** Tony** Pineapple** Spratt’s Harmon Bell#* Pierce’s Blood** Round Sweet Blood#* Armory’s Blood*#* Sall’s Blood** Mediterranean Blood Thornless** Foundling De Barry’s Seed- ling** Dr. Stark’s Best** Mellwood Seed- ling** Dann's Best** Osceola** Oce**® Prater, or Silver#* Beach’s No, 5#* Foster#* Indian River Milikensis Marquis Sanford’s Navel Orange Lake** (Queen Queen of Halifax Sustain Navel Velvet Peel (orna- mental) Whitaker®* Indian Sweet** River PROPAGATION OF THE ORANGE, Planting the Seed.—The best time to plant orange seed is in the months of March and April, and even in May and June. Early planting is not recommended, because it does not give good results. When planted too early many seeds decay, wait- ing for spring, their time of germination. The seed-bed should be kept moist, but not too wet. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—PROPAGATION. 85 Collecting the Seed.—There are various ways in vogue, but in the one most commonly used the fruit is piled in heaps or put into barrels to rot. When it has decayed sufficiently to break easily when handled, it is crushed in a tub or barrel and the seeds are washed out. A coarse sieve is used; the soft sub- stance of the fruit passes through, leaving the seeds in the sieve. This operation is carried on in a place where water can be used freely, as considerable is required to do the work properly. Keeping the Seed.—To insure best results, the seed of the orange should not be allowed to dry after being taken from the fruit. If not ready to plant then, they should be put in moist sand. In this way they can be kept until everything is prepared, How to Put the Seed in Sand.—Take a shallow box, say five inches deep and twenty or thirty inches square; fill it half full of moist sand; then put the seed on top, about two inches deep. On top of the seed place considerable sand and mix the sand and the seed together with the hands. This is done so that the sand will stick to the seeds and prevent them from adhering to each other. Then fill up the box with sand and let the seeds remain until they are to be planted. The boxes can be stacked one upon another. j Taking the Seed Out of the Sand.—The seed-bed having been prepared, take the top box and dump its contents into a coarse sieve. This must be done with care, go as not to bruise the seed. Then shake the sieve; the sand will pass through, leaving the seed in the sieve. The Seed-Bed.—The seed-bed should be inclosed with boards, eighteen or twenty inches wide, set on edge, about four or six feet apart. The bottom should be floored, so as to prevent the ingress of gophers and other rodents. Laths are nailed on top, leaving a space of one half inch between them, to protect the seed from being scratched up by birds. A cover- ing of thin muslin is put on top of the laths to prevent the young plants from being scorched by the sun. If the weather he cloudy, it is well that the covering be removed to allow the seed-bed to get warm. It is better to plant the seed broadcast, but not too thickly, as the plants will grow slender and not so 86 ; STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. strong and thrifty as when sown sparingly. The seed should be covered with fine, rich soil, from one to two inches in depth. Boxes filled with rich soil are also used in which to grow seed- lings. They are set close to each other on the ground, watered and covered the same as the seed-hed. Transplanting.—In one year the plants will be large enough to be transplanted in nursery form. They are sorted, the very small and delicate ones planted by themselves, or transplanted in boxes and kept another year; being so small and delicate, they are generally scorched by the sun when planted in whe open ground, and remain small in the nursery. Distance of Nursery Rows.—The rows should he far enough apart to admit a cultivator between them. Grave mistakes are often made in setting the plants less than four feet apart, asin cultivating after being budded many buds are knocked off by the horse or the traces rubbing against them. Preference is given to rows when set five or six feet apart. This will give ample room for cultivation; and also, in digging up trees, a small, narrow sled can be run in to haul them to the head of the rows without rubbing against the nursery stock. Planting close together in the rows tends to make feeble and slender trees. If it is not intended to “sack” or “ball” the trees when they are to be transplanted, then the plants can he set from eight to twelve inches apart, and they will make strong and thrifty stocks; but if it is intended to ‘“‘sack” them, this is too close. They should be at least eighteen inches apart; this will give the digger enough space to take up trees between others. It also has the advantage of not cutting the roots too short, which is apt to he the case when the plants are close together. Trimming the Stock.—The plants should be trimmed but sparingly until at least one year after planting. They should be left to grow almost at will the first year, as they will with- stand the cold of winter better. When plants are trimmed too young they generally-make slender and feeble stock. In the following spring, as early as possible, say in February, the plants are trimmed, leaving a clear stock. All cuts should be made close, so that they may soon heal over. The brush is then gathered and burned. As the ground becomes packed by THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—PROPAGATION. 87 the trimmers it should be loosened by running a cultivator between the rows. Topping the Trees.— When a tree is taken from the nursery .the foliage should be cut back; the branches should be so cut that in starting they will form a fine-shaped head. This is done because evaporation from the leaves is rapid. In many cases where the top shoots are left on, the circulation of the trees becomes dry and the bark will shrivel before the roots have assumed their natural functions. Balling System.—A narrow trench is made along the row and within six inches of the tree; the taproot is cut about eighteen inches deep; then with a spade an oblong ball is cut, leaving in it the tree. The spade should be very sharp, or in cutting the roots the jar will break the ball. Pruning shears are used in cutting large roots. When trees are taken up with a solid ball of earth the leaves will scarcely wilt. Puddling System.—Puddling is practiced where the soil is so loose that sacking is rendered impossible. Many prefer this system to any other, as it gives the trees larger and more roots; and where all due precautions are taken, puddling is the best system, besides saving considerable expense. A hole is made in the ground and filled half full of water, then soil is thrown in and worked with a hoe, which forms a puddle. The puddle should be thin enough so that when the roots of the trees are put into it, the mud will stick to them, at the same time wetting every part thoroughly. The trees are carefully taken up, the soil shaken from the roots, and they are immediately dipped into the mud or puddle. They are then placed on wet strawina wagon. A covering is placed over the wagon to prevent the sun from drying the roots, as the roots should not be exposed to the sun, even if only for a few min- utes. The wagon is then driven to the field where the holes have been dug. ‘The driver hands the trees, one at a time, to the planter, who holds them in position while his men fill the hole with dirt, first throwing in the moistest. The planter presses the soil very lightly, and goes to the next one. The tree having been set, a basin is made around it and a couple of buckets of water poured into the basin; this will settle the soil and keep the tree fresh until water can be run down the rows in furrows. 88 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Transplanting the Trees from the Nursery to the Orchard.—This important work often determines the future growth and fruitage of the orchard. Its performance in all its details should be conducted in a manner to give as little shock to the growth of the tree as possible. Mr. L. C. Waite, of Riverside, has had great success in transplanting trees in their natural state; that is, removing the tree without balling, leaving the roots free from soil. He attaches great importance to two conditions: first, selecting the proper time for removal; and second, the manner of handling. The time for removing the tree is. when it has made a previous growth and has hardened that growth and balanced it by a later root growth. In this condition it is ready to put out a new branch growth. Before this appears the fine roots are cut on one side of the tree by the use of a sharp spade. At the same time the tap- root is cut at the proper depth below the surface. The excava- tion is then filled with earth, and the tree allowed to remain for several days until the rootlets and the taproot have formed a crown of growth. By leaving the rootlets of a considerable portion of the tree undisturbed by the first handling this growth is rapid. When the growth is sufficiently developed the tree can then be removed from the nursery to the orchard by the second handling. This is to cut the remaining roots, being careful to leave unbroken the roots cut at the previous hand- ling. When this tree is placed in orchard form the earlier cut roots are ready to start new growth immediately. The shock to the tree by its last necessary mutilation is hardly felt. Every care must be taken in carrying the tree from the nursery to the orchard to keep the tender and sensitive rootlets from drying. *“Tf orange trees are properly handled from the time they are dug in the nursery until they are planted in orchard form, there should be no loss. We have found in our experience in planting, that if this plan is properly followed we do not lose any trees, but if orange tree roots are exposed to sunshine or wind, for a short time only, the planter will lose a large per- centage of his trees; besides, those which grow will have such a sickly growth that he would be better off if they had died with the others. We know that it is possible to pack trees so that *B.F. Dixon, in essay before Escondido Farmers’ Institute, November, 1896. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—PROPAGATION. 89 they may be shipped long distances and, when planted, nearly all live, but from observations of the experiences of various planters we have concluded that the only safe plan is to buy your trees from the nearest nursery and superintend the dig- cing of them yourself. After your trees are planted in orchard form they should be watered and thoroughly cultivated every thirty days during the dry season. In the rainy season cultivate enough to keep down the weeds.” *“T AH. Reed, whose systematic methods and habit of care- ful observation peculiarly fit him for successful experimental work, has demonstrated to the members of this club, and to the satisfaction of various other careful observers, the value of the following methods in transplanting orange and lemon trees: “ First—In taking up the trees the roots should be protected by a ball of earth; “ Second—That, to the satisfaction of various careful observers the most essential factor in tree growth, should be preserved as far as possible; ‘““Third—Where it is practicable, the tree should be trans- ferred to its new home immediately after the taproot is cut, and loose earth carefully filled in around it; “ Fourth—Let water in furrows follow the planters and fill the holes, thoroughly settling fine earth around the balls or roots. “By carefully observing these points, if the nursery is near by, every leaf may be saved, and the tree will resume the work of growth almost immediately. Examination in a day or two after planting will show a large number of fibrous roots reaching out from the ball into the new soil around it. A small amount of well-rotted manure placed near the roots, but not immediately touching the ball, will assist in giving a vigorous growth. “The evidence from actual observation and experience is conclusive that trees thus treated will make a growth the first year which can not be approximated if the trees are taken up with bare roots. Indeed, if the leaves wilt and mostly drop, the tree will seldom do more the first year than reclothe itself, and will be a year later in coming into bearing. * From report of committee, by J. M. Edmison, to Riverside Horticultural Club, February, 1899. 90 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. ‘Tt is very important the first season after transplanting trees to run water frequently, at least so as to insure soft and moist earth about the roots at all times. And it is better to run water in furrows through the entire open space between the rows. Experiments have shown that the roots reach out enormously, even the first year, if favorable conditions are provided.” Extending the Roots.—A common practice in planting trees with loose roots, of placing the tree in the hole, filling the hole with soil and water, and then tramping, should be avoided. As the roots are covered with thick mud they will stick together, and if the tree grows it will not do as well as when the roots are extended with care. This is very simple. The hole is half filled with earth, which being loose admits the taproot of the tree by slight pressure of the hand; then the © lateral roots are spread and the soil is lightly pressed. Heavy tramping is not necessary, as eo eet the water settles the dirt and keeps the roots in place. As soon as the water in the basin has disappeared, the basin is covered with loose soil; this will prevent evaporation, and keep the tree from leaning over. Trees planted with these precautions make the best growth and become the most thrifty. Shading Newly Set Plants.—Plants set out during summer ,or during a period of sunny weather often wilt and many perish, unless duly protected. -|The accompanying illustra- tion shows a simple method of protecting freshly set plants. =| These shades are made of any }size desired, from old _ paste- 4 board boxes, which are easily Jobtained at drygoods stores, etc. Squares are cut from the top, bottom, and sides. They are nailed to a peg made of any kind of material, in the man- ner shown. ‘These shades can be put down close to the plant, and when taken up after a few days can be kept for future use. Plants protected by shades. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—BUDDING. 91 BUDDING. There are various systems of budding citrus trees. In Florida and Louisiana the most popular method is the reverse of the one universally practiced in this State. Time to Bud.—The best time to bud citrus trees is in March and April, as soon as the trees begin to put forth leaves and the sap flows freely. Everything should be prepared; no time should be lost, as buds inserted early in the season start with vigor and by fall have a large and thrifty top. The buds should be looked over at least ten days after they are inserted, and all those which show signs of not having “taken” should be re- budded in order to give them an early start, and that they may grow more evenly with those first budded. Budding done in June and July is styled “summer budding.” It is not considered as good as early spring budding, because the buds do not start evenly; and as the greater portion of them start late their growth is so tender by the time winter sets in that, if they pass through it, they become prematurely hardened by the cold weather, which sometimes causes the trees to become stunted. Fall budding is generally performed during September and October, and sometimes in favored localities as late as November. After the strings have been removed the buds are left to lie dormant through the winter, to be started in the spring. Methods Illustrated.—The selection of scions is very impor- tant. Only plump and healthy buds should be chosen; dor- Fic. 1. Thornless orange buds. mant or blind and immature buds should be avoided. Fig. 1 shows an orange stick prepared for budding. In this the leaves have been cut off the leaf stem at the proper distance from the \ C= at ee 3 ices Fig. 2. Thorny lemon buds. bud. Fig. 2 shows a thorny lemon bud, also with the leaves removed, and ready for use. The stocks are previously pre- 92 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. pared for budding by the removal of all growth to about eight or ten inches from the ground, or at the height they are to be budded, so as not to interfere with the men. The lemon should be budded at such a height that its union with the stock will be above the line of irrigation and moisture arising therefrom. This guards the lemon against disease. The first operation consists in making a vertical incision in the bark, as shown in Fig. 3. Note the position in which the knifeis held. It is not necessary to press too hard, but simply cut through the bark. The transverse incision is then made at the top of the ver- tical incision, as shown in Fig. 4, and by a slight twist of the hand from left to right the bark becomes opened sufliciently to admit the point of the bud to enter into the incision (see Fig. 5). Now comes the cutting of the bud, which is shown in Fig. 6. Note the position of the hands and the manner of holding the knife. The point of the bud is held downward and the buds are cut from the back. In this way the buds are cut smooth and do not crack in cutting, as is the case when cut from above. The bud is then inserted by holding it between the fingers and press- ing it downward into position, as shown in Fig. 7. It is then THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—BUDDING. 93 tied with soft budding twine (although other materials, such as cloth, etc., are greatly preferred by some), as shown in Fig. 8, which shows the opera- tion complete. Figs. 7 and 8 show the treat- ment of the stock after the bud has “taken,” and not at the time of budding. In order to start the buds it is best to cut back the stocks as shown in the figures, leaving a portion of the foliage until the buds have made a good start. This prevents a check of the flow of sap, which generally is the case when all the leaves are removed with the top; causing the 94 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. incision to open and the bud to dry. This brush is removed later at the point shown in Fig. 7, ata. When the buds start they are very delicate and require to be protected by being tied to the stock, either with soft twine or cloth, as shown in Fig. 9. When the buds have become strong the remaining portion of the stock is sawed off at the point shown in Fig. 9 at o. The cut is then waxed over, or given one or more z=. coats of rubber paint, to protect it from atmospheric ~~ action, that the cut may heal over without defects. Starting and Training the Buds.—Nursery trees swell very fast in the spring, and three weeks is long enough for the strings to remain on them; but the tops should not be cut off then. The strings should be removed, and the nursery irri- gated and cultivated. This will force new growth, and the tops should then be cut back from four to eight inches above the bud. After the bud has grown about six inches or more it is tied to the stock. When the bud has become stocky and able to support itself, what remains of the top is then cut away. The cut should be made smooth and waxed over or painted with rubber paint. This helps the wound in healing over and pro- tects the stock from the action of the atmosphere. Buds left to lie dormant through the winter are “started” in the spring, just as soon as the trees begin to show signs of growth. Great care should be used in the cutting of the top, that it be done at the proper time, and that the top be not cut so near the bud as to endanger it. It is advisable always to leave a little foliage on the stock, to avoid too great a shock by the removal of the entire top and its functions, which in many cases causes the death of the bud and the dwarfing of the stock. When the stocks put forth in the spring the buds peneealie start also. The suckers, being very tender, are removed by hand (thumb-pruning), breaking at the touch, Cutting them with a sharp knife has the advantage that no others will grow where so cut, and the cut being made clean will give the tree a smooth body, and as the tree grows very little suckering will be required. When the suckers become strong and are removed by rubbing with the hand, the trunks generally become rough and suckering becomes much greater. As the buds continue to grow, they are loosely tied with THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—-BUDDING. 95 soft twine or rope either to the remaining portion of the stock or to laths driven alongside. By this practice the trees will grow straight and symmetrical. Growing Budded Trees in the Nursery Without Staking.— The buds are allowed to grow until they show signs of drooping. They are then pinched at the top. The growth is arrested; the stock becomes firm and erect. The bud starts several new growths. One of these growths, generally the center, is allowed to make an upward growth and the rival growths removed. As this growth advances and, like the first, begins to droop, it is again pinched, when it again assumes an upright position and starts its multiple growths. From these, as before, is selected a growth to further advance the height of the tree. When the tree has arrived at its proper height for the crown, allow all the growths from the last pinching to remain and the tree to form its desired head. Trees grown in this manner are stronger than those that have had the support of stakes. WORKING-OVER LARGE ORANGE TREES. Large orange trees are somewhat diffi- cult to bud, owing to the extreme thick- ness of the bark and the inactivity of flow of sap at the space where the buds are generally inserted. Neither does the bark “slip” as easily as on younger stocks. Three meth- ods of working-over large trees are prac- ticed in the southern citrus counties. One is to bud into the large limbs near the Orange tree budded over, showing the buds start- crotch; the second is ing, and trunk whitewashed for protection. 96 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, to cut the tree back in the spring and to bud into the young shoots; and the third is to bud high into the limbs, either into the old wood or on the new shoots as they put forth after the trees are topped. Unless the buds are inserted reasonably early the entire tops are not cut back until the spring following. It is best to cut back a portion of the foliage of the limbs to induce the buds to start without giving the trees too severe a shock, and to allow the buds to grow at will with the rest of the foliage through the winter. From two to five of the large side limbs are left to grow, as a pro- tection to the buds from frost, and to induce the flow of sap to the buds. *“T believe the lack of success in budding old trees arose fre- quently from the fact that it was deferred until too late in the spring, when the sap was in the : top of the trees, passing by the Vere bud in its haste to get higher up, and the best success has come from buds inserted as the sap got to be active at the point of inser- tion.” Budding Large Trees in the Fall.—_At a meeting of the Riv- Orange treé cut back to fone ap CTeGe Horticultural Club, Mr. to throw out shoots from the main Bryan, a noted horticulturist, branches, which are budded; the body : 3 of tree being protected with burlap. recommended inserting the bud » from below, and pushing it up instead of the usual way of pushing it down, thereby insur- ing better protection from damage by rain. Waxed cloth, he said, was the best for tying. In regard to the treatment of the tree when the buds are fully set, he favored leaving a portion of the old wood and foliage to bear fruit for a time as a protection from the fierce rays of the sun in July and August. The heroic treatment of cutting the tree right back, which ¥ *J. E. Cutter, before Riverside Horticultural Club, June, 1896. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—BUDDING. 97 might rightly be called ‘beheading system,’ he could not indorse. It was found that a much better way was to girdle the limbs just above the new buds, to be done with a knife, slanting away from the bud. In old trees several buds can be inserted on large limbs, thus giving greater assurance of success. Many budders remove from the limb, above the bud, a ring of bark, about an inch wide, which indies the bud to start. The bud is left to grow at will until the followi ing spring, when the branches are finally removed, and the buds which have had a season’s start are made to assuine the functions of the top. Large seedling orange trees changed over by budding in the branches. Protecting the Trunks of Large Trees.—As soon as pos- sible after the removal of the tops the ends of all limbs cut are waxed over. The trunks are then treated with a heavy coat of whitewash, or wrapped with sacks to prevent them from being scorched by the hot sun. Water is applied, and everything possible done to cause the tree and buds to start without being injured. But these precautions are not as necessary where the gradual process is practiced. Budding Large Trees in the Branches.—The rules laid down for budding large trees in the main branches close to the trunk apply with equal force to budding large trees in the branches higher up, and as shown in the accompanying illus- 7c 95 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. tration. The main limbs are cleared of all brush long before the time of budding. They are budded in the spring or in the fall. If budded in the fall the buds are allowed to lie dormant through the winter and started in the spring. The buds are inserted in the limbs, and when they have “taken” the tops are gradually removed, leaving the side limbs to grow for awhile to prevent the flowing sap from relaxing, which keeps the buds growing until they assume the functions of the top. These side limbs are then removed, and the trunks and limbs are given a thick coating of whitewash to prevent sunburn, etc. Beheading System.—This system is successfully practiced by several experienced budders of Riverside. O. D. Wilhite, a gentleman of long experience, treats his trees before budding by removing all limbs (below the line of buds) that are not needed in the process of budding. He further treats the remaining limbs by removing the small branches near the line of buds, to induce a flow of sap at points where the buds are to be inserted. By this double removal he concentrates the flow of sap over a limited part of the tree and also at the special line of bud insertion. This service is done in the early spring. When the tree responds by increased growth, as it soon will, the sap is circulating in vigor and the buds are inserted. The treatment of the buds is the same as for nursery budding. Immediately after insertion they are tightly covered with waxed cloth. The coverings are allowed to remain about three weeks, or until such time as the buds are well established. They are then removed, and where the buds have not taken, new buds are inserted. Wherever a sufficient number of buds have taken, the top is entirely removed and the wounds covered with heated wax. In processing the tree for protection from injury by the sun a heavy coat of whitewash is applied before the removal of the limbs. This coating is carried above the point of cutting and over the waxed cloth. This insures the whole surface to be covered with the lime except a band where the cloth rests. When the cloth is removed the clear strip beneath can easily be seen in future observations of the buds. The first treatment of the tree is to let all new sprouts grow. These will appear over the entire tree surface, and will keep the sap in motion and the roots in action. The first handling is to pinch the fast growing buds to strengthen their trunks, and to remove a few of the sprouts which have grown ) SGN PNIMONG ‘GUVHOUG ACISHAAIY V AO MATA ‘NOILVUSdIQ Thdssao0ng W—SAOUOPIA ANY AHLIVAY, SYOOLG | HLMOND SNOSVAG V ‘ITMAVN NOLDONIHSVM FHL OL SAUUL AYNVYO ONIIGHUS AYUVT JO YAAO-ONIMUOM GH MUA LTOAO SOULTO VINNOATTV SY - “XT ULV Id 100 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. near them and threaten to smother them. As the buds grow the remaining sprouts are from time to time removed, being careful, early in their growth, to keep a sufficient sprout growth to maintain a rapid flow of sap. The top of the tree should now be free from sprouts and occupied only by the buds. The bud growth must be often pinched, to prevent a long, straggling, weak growth. Asthe crown of bud growth increases, all sprouts are removed from the trunk. Large trees treated in this manner should appear with a solid bud growth, as in the illus- tration (Plate IX, page 99). In some portions of the State the buds are troubled by the leaf-eating beetle Aramigus ful- _ leri, which climbs the trees and feeds on the ten- 4.\ der leaves and tipends of the buds. To keep the beetles from ascending the trees, bands of cotton- batting are placed on the trunks of the trees below Fuller’s Rose Beetle — natural the buds. These bands are removed from time size and enlarged: to time. PLANTING. Preparation of the Soil.—The land should be thoroughly worked through the winter and prepared to be planted in the spring, when it becomes warmer. All weeds and stubble should be plowed-under; these will decompose and serve as a fertilizer to the orchard. The thorough working of the soil liberates crude gases and changes the nutritive principles to a form more readily assimilated by the tree. *«The question is often propounded to us how to prepare the land before planting the orange tree. Our advice to all contemplating planting is to first have a thorough survey of the land to be planted; then thoroughly grade same, so that water can be successfully carried to every tree. Here is where many make a fatal mistake; they undertake to grade the land by the ‘eye,’ and find after they have planted their grove that it is impossible to properly water all trees in the grove; then their lifelong trouble begins. So we would say most emphatically, always have your land well graded. When this is properly *B. F. Dixon, in essay before Escondido Farmers’ Institute, Nov., 1896. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—PLANTING. 101 done, plow the land at least twelve inches deep. Let the land lie until it has been thoroughly settled by rains or by irriga- tion, then plow again, if possible some deeper than the first plowing. Thoroughly pulverize the soil by harrowing. Go to the nursery and see that your trees are dug with good roots, and tops well cut back and all leaves removed from the trees before they are lifted from nursery rows; have roots immedi- ately puddled, then packed so as to retain all moisture and exclude sunshine and wind. As fast as the trees are planted in orchard form, each tree should receive at least twenty-five gallons of water to thoroughly settle the soil. As soon as the soil is in good condition cultivate thoroughly.” A great mistake is often made by careless planters in digging small holes, just large enough to crowd the roots into. Into these the trees are forced, the roots being twisted out of shape, with no regard to their proper position, and as a result the trees make a stunted and unhealthy growth. The holes should be both deep and broad. It is best to dig the hole deeper than needed; then fill up the bottom with a cone of surface soil, and in the apex of this cone a hole is made with a shovel-handle to receive the taproot. The laterals are then carefully spread out as nearly as possible in the position occupied in the nursery, and the hole filled up. The tree should be planted a little deeper than it originally grew, and when it is set should be pulled up with a gentle shaking motion to its proper height. This will settle the soil about the small roots. A bucket of water is now applied, which will still further settle the soil. As soon as the water has disappeared a little fresh soil is put over the basin, to prevent evaporation and to keep the tree from leaning. Trees planted with these precautions make the best growth and become the thriftiest. Time of Planting.—The orange, being an evergreen, can be planted at any time in the year when the conditions are favor- able, and this is determined by the condition of the tree and the season. The orange tree makes several growths during the season, varying in number and season with different varieties and different seasons. But there are periods when all orange trees are dormant, and others when nearly all are active. In transplanting, the trees should be taken at their dormant stage, as the shock of removal will not then be so 102 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. severe and the tree will more quickly recover. These dormant periods usually occur about four times in the year: from the middle of March to the middle of April, in June, in September, and from the middle of November to the middle of December. The warmer season is the best for planting. Trees transplanted in the winter when the ground is cold will remain until spring without growing. It is therefore better to transplant when the ground is warm. The nearer an orange tree is to starting new erowth the greater its strength and root power. This is the best time for transplanting—atter they have made their first crowth and before starting the second time in the spring. Trees designed for transplanting should be pruned a week or ten days before they are removed from the nursery. This enables them to recover from the shock of pruning before being subjected to the shock of removal. In the selection of trees it will always be found most profit- able to get the best, even though the first cost may be a little more. Scrubby, neglected, ill-grown trees are dear as a gift, and will never repay the care required in their culture. If the trees for the orchard are to be purchased they should be pro- cured from some well-known and reliable nurseryman, who will guarantee them true to name. Only clean, healthy, well- grown trees should be accepted. Setting Out the Orchard.—In laying off the orchard it is desirable to have it symmetrical and to economize the land. A little thought and care displayed at the commencement will save much annoyance in after years, and it is no greater task to have the orchard neat in appearance and symmetrical in outline than to have it in a haphazard condition. There are three objects to be considered in laying out the orchard: sym- metry of appearance, economy of space, and facility for future care. Of course the first thing is to get the trees in straight rows, at equal distances apart, and every one thinks he can accomplish this. But there are various methods of disposing of the straight row, and these methods all have their advocates, and each one its advantages. The principal forms are the square, the quincunx, and the hexagonal or septuple. The methods most common in use are the syuare and the quincunx systems. The most generally adopted is the square system, as the orchard can be changed to quincunx after being planted, even after a number of years of growth. THE ORANGE IN In order that the most approved planting tems may be better under- stood, they are illustrated to show how the orchard is first laid out, and how the trees look after several sys- years of growth. The Square System. This is the most approved method. The orchard is laid off in lines crossing each other, with equal in- tervals of space, anda tree planted at each crossing of the lines. method, feet apart, one hundred and eight trees are planted to the acre. The preferable By the square at twenty I CALIFORNIA— PLANTING. 103 PLANTING SYSTEMS. eerily 2 ae ee coli ents ie er ee eee ue l PO Real apna toe le oe Ee eee i Ge a @ & @ & & | 4 S 2 hs 2 & &© 2 he & oe SS @ 2 @b & a &£ & & @ & The Square System. distances for planting are twenty feet for dwarf varie- Letsg Sect aes Sereda ate clabeeni, ties, twenty-four feet for Navels and Mediterranean Sweets, and thirty feet for all seedling types. Quincunx System.—In this system the orchard is laid off in the same manner 'as for square planting, ex- cept that the number of rows are doubled, and a tree planted in the center of every square. This “|method is chiefly used in planting with the idea of removing the center trees (which are generally dwarf) “4 lwhen those designed to be Quincunx System. permanent shall have at- 104 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Hexagonal, or Septuple, System. tained a considerable size; the orchard then assumes thesquareplan. At twenty feet apart, one hundred and ninety-nine trees are plant- ed toan acre by this method. Hexagonal, or Septu- ple, System.—In this sys- tem the trees are equilateral (equally distant from each other) and more completely fill the space than any other systemcan. Six trees form a hexagon and inclose a seventh. The lines in the figure indicate the method of laying out the orchard. By the hexagonal system, at twenty feet apart, one hundred and _ twenty-six trees are planted to an acre. Triangular, or Alter- nate, System.—In laying - on - out an orchard by this sys- tem, the lines are run form- ing a square, as in the square system; a line is then run diagonally acrogs, and a tree planted alter- nately, forming a triangle. oa. &@ @ # & & The advantage in this sys- tem is that the trees are a given more space, and can be planted closer together | 9 4 ; 8 «= Bo 4 : 9 é without crowding. on %. 9% 4 The following table will a oa @& & 4 show the number of trees to the acre by the square, quincunx, and hexagonal sale cpal prince curregasa aaees | € 53 § Q sf, oe Be i & s pe & oy Ww FS or septuple systems: Triangular, or Alternate, System. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—SOILS. 105 fs Iie | Hex a Distance apart. Square or Septuple._ Quincunx. NQMC C tera ie ch ee hc 436 | 500 831 DDR C eee espera ec aed Se ee eR es 303 | 347 | 571 Tastee eae Conte toy, RRL oye 1) 292 | 255 415 TR Se ce Pe | 170 | 195 | 313 1S Pee ae ak eterna rele a en hata 134 154 247 D0 Tee eta Se acta Oe ae te A Dee 108 126 | 199 DO Ce yin ese Oay ARTS eae Bene 90 1038 | «178 ieee nae Aa eae eee Gag | gee ||) AS be 3S e a a 3° o = ° a u S a o a a = ° 7 a ° Pd Ss 2: = 2 = s cn q 5 aS oD u = a a 3 E s oR MODE 108 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. the orchard comes into bearing, however, the trees must be copiously watered, or the fruit will be small. Of the methods of irrigation, the simplest, best, and most generally used, is the furrow system, in which several furrows IRRIGATING—THE OLD Way. The furrows were made with the plow, and water run through in large streams, thereby cutting up the land and washing away the available plant-food. are plowed between the rows of trees, the first one about three feet distant from the trunks, and down these the water is allowed to flow gradually until the ground is thoroughly saturated. THE BASIN SYSTEM OF IRRIGATION. The orchard is laid out in square basins, ready to run water into them. Irrigation by the basin method is performed by hollowing out, around each tree, a basin with a diameter equal to the spread of the branches; into this the water is run, and when filled it is conducted to the next,and so on until all the basins have been THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—CULTIVATION. 109 filled. These are sometimes filled two or three times, until the soil will absorb no more water. By this method care must be taken to prevent the water coming in contact with the trunks of the trees, or they will become scalded and gum disease will result. A cone of earth is usually banked up around each tree to prevent this, but it must be broken and leveled off after each application of water; if not, bad results follow, such as the breaking out of gum, ete. CULTIVATION. Much of the success of the orange orchard depends upon cultivation. If this be carelessly done or entirely neglected the best results from the trees are not to be expected. Culti- vation is imperatively needed by the orange grove, from the fact that the orange does best upon irrigated lands, and irriga- tion and cultivation must go hand in hand. If water is applied to the orchard and it is left without cultivation the soil bakes hard, cracks, the moisture escapes, and the trees suffer. It is the rule, and one established by experience, to cultivate after each irrigation, just as soon as the ground is sufficiently dry to permit a horse to travel over it, usually in two or three days after the application of water. The soil must be kept mellow and free from weeds at all times. Many of the leading orange-growers plow in the fall before the winter rains, turning the furrows toward the trees, and harrow- ing the land after. This leaves the trees on a ridge with the dead furrow in the middle of the rows and serves to drain the surplus water from the trees. During the winter season the ground is naturally cold, and allowing the tree to stand in water is very detrimental to it. In the spring a second plow- ing from the trees to the middle fills up the dead furrow and leaves the ground smooth for the summer. The ground should be cultivated close to the trees, which can easily be effected by the use of a short whiffletree. Care must be taken, however, not to damage or wound the trees, and it is a wise precaution to wrap the ends of the singletree with cloth—a barley sack or something similar—to keep it from barking the trees in case of contact. A careful driver and a steady horse should do the work, and the danger of damage to the trees will be reduced to a minimum. 110 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. In regard to the implements to be used, the orchardist must exercise his best judgment and consider the nature of the soil to be worked. There area large number of good cultivators on the market, some adapted to heavy, others to light, and others to gravelly soil. The orchardist should ascertain those best suited to the requirements of his particular work, and secure them. CULTIVATION AND IRRIGATION.* The orange tree is a native of tropical forests, where it obtains warm soil and abundant moisture within easy reach. Its successful culture in the countries like California, which lack summer rains and moisture-iaden atmosphere, is neces- sarily to some degree artificial anda notable triumph of modern horticulture. In order to achieve the highest results, it becomes more and more essential that the grower shall keep the soil in the most perfect condition, shall apply all needed water and plant-food in sufficient but not in excessive amounts, and shall pay especial attention to keeping the feeding roots as low as practicable and to preventing the formation of what is called “hardpan,” but is only the well-known ‘“‘plow-sole,” aggra- vated by shallow irrigation. “Hardpan,” some growers say, appears now where it was never before known. The fibrous roots of orange trees run along its surface, and thus are subject to every vicissitude. It often happens that what orchardists call “hardpan” is only the firm layer of soil caused by uniform cultivation, or plow- ing, whether deep or shallow. The depth to which soil is stirred should vary from year to year; eight inches, twelve inches, ten inches, fourteen inches, and then eight inches again, would put an end to much of the present outcry against “hardpan.” Cultivator teeth should also be kept sharp, and should be “set down” to various depths so as to prevent the formation of “ plow-sole” of any description, and to assist in breaking up that which former neglect has caused. Very few orange groves have been planted upon true “ hard- pan,” andif so planted have seldom succeeded. Only a few trees, such as our native oaks, are capable of thrusting roots through the iron-like layer of natural subsoil that is properly termed “hardpan.” When found to exist, it should be deemed sufficient to debar citrus culture, unless so thin that, by boring *J.W. Mills, in University of California Bulletin No. 138. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—CULTIVATION. 111 or blasting, the root-system can be established in good soil below the “hardpan,” or when it is so constituted that when kept irrigated the roots will penetrate it. An instance of the latter occurred at Riverside, where Mr. Reed planted a few trees on a terrace bordering on an arroyo, and found what was reported as true “hardpan” near the surface. The trees received “an abundance of water over the whole area for a year,” and it was then found that the roots had penetrated it to a considerable distance. The term “irrigation hardpan” is quite generally used in the orange-growing district to describe the condition of some small areas in orchards where irrigation and subsequent cul- ture have been careless, or where sufficient attention has not been paid to the difference of treatment required by lighter and heavier soils. Of course very sandy soils can be handled sooner after irri- gation than can heavier soils, and when a sandy piece of land containing areas of heavy soil is cultivated as soon after irrigation as the sandiest part will permit, trouble may be expected with the so-called “irrigation hardpan,” by the puddling of the subsoil, partly directly by the plow, partly by the soaking-in of clay-water. It is usual for orchardists to put in a subsoil plow to help in breaking up the heavy spots of what is called “irrigation hardpan.” But this difficulty can easily be overcome without using a subsoil plow, as was shown by the experience of Mr. W. J. Cox, of Glendora, Los Angeles County, who found that “irrigation hardpan” was forming in a part of his orange grove. He irrigated a few trees that were within reach of the domestic water-supply, and followed this up at the proper time with thorough cultivation. After each irrigation he cultivated a little deeper. Asa result of deep irrigation and cultivation, the soil took in water as readily as ever and the trees regained their vigorous appearance. He simply used a chisel-tooth cultivator and plenty of water. ‘ A somewhat different case was that of Mrs. McKenzie, of Riverside, whose orange grove failed to be profitable, though apparently well irrigated. This orchard had been cultivated to the same-depth until a hard, clay “plow-sole” had been formed. The stratum of hard subsoil was several inches thick and contained a number of large surface roots. She wrote to the California Experiment Station, sending samples of soil for 112 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. examination. It was found that the plow-sole prevented the irrigation water from reaching the deeper roots, and she was advised to plow the entire orchard, roots and all, as deep as the plow would go. This was done, much to the alarm of many growers, and great numbers of orange roots of all sizes were turned to the surface. Following further advice, she irrigated and cultivated the ground deeply, and the following season she harvested the largest crop ever taken from this grove. The Glendora grove, to which allusion has been made, had had deep cultivation from the beginning, and the roots were mainly below the so-called hardpan. The McKenzie grove had many roots in the hard “plow-sole,” so that the only remedy was to destroy these useless roots and force the growth of new and deeper ones, at the same time giving the irrigation water a chance to penetrate. This rather drastic root-pruning was necessary, and if the Glendora grove had been cultivated to a uniform depth a few more seasons, deeper plowing and the destruction of the surface roots would have become inevitable there also. The breaking-up of all hard layers of soil caused by improper cultivation or careless use of water is of the first importance to the health and profit of an orchard. After Mrs. McKenzie’s experiment at Riverside, previously mentioned, subsoilers of different forms were used, and the idea soon became common. among growers that the deeper a plow could be run, the better would be the results that would follow. The injurious results of such practice can not be estimated without careful study of the root-systems of orange trees on various stocks and soils. A number of bearing citrus groves were so much injured by the reckless use of subsoil plows that the leaves of the trees actually wilted down imme- diately after the operation. In these cases, the sharp-cutting plow was run close to and on all sides of the trees. When trees over ten years of age, which have been subjected to uni- form shallow plowing and irrigation, are submitted to such treatment, they probably lose at one blow not less than seventy- five per cent of their active roots. The shock is such that it would take several years of careful treatment to restore the trees. Tt is almost always more economical to use a subsoiler or plow where “irrigation hardpan” has been formed than it is to use the large amount of water necessary to soften it: but THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—CULTIVATION. 113 according to the best practice the deepening of cultivation should be gradual, and the implement should never run deeper than fifteen inches. One must remember that the really serious loss in sudden deep cultivation comes from the destruc- tion of thousands of fibrous roots that grow from the hundreds of laterals branching from the large main roots. If a plow is run to a depth of one foot, in three furrows, between the rows, and water percolates slowly for a long time through these furrows, no need can arise for a subsoiler. “ Irrigation hardpan” within reach of the plow simply shows, as has been said. that too shallow and too uniform cultivation has been practiced. In that case the entire surface should be thoroughly broken up, and irrigation in deep furrows after this will restore the proper conditions. Experience also shows that when the water is slowly run in deep furrows for a long time and the greater part of the surface is kept dry and is deeply cultivated, better results are obtained than when the basin or block method, or even the shallow-furrow plan, is used, even though they are followed by deep cultiva- tion. When the water is applied below the first foot of soil, and the soil above is kept comparatively dry, there is nothing to attract the roots to the surface; and when the water is thus applied, a team can be driven along the dry strips of land between the furrows, and with a harrow or other appliance the dry soil can be dragged into the wet furrows, to lessen the evaporation, immediately after the irrigation water is turned off. By any other system, it is absolutely necessary to wait at least twelve hours, and sometimes much longer, before a team can be driven over the ground. Then, too, when a soil irri- gated by these more wasteful methods has been cultivated, it is still moist near the top, and is soon filled with a mass of new ‘roots so close to the surface that they must be destroyed. Water applied to the soil sinks and spreads. Some of it is being taken up by the still dry soil underneath and at the sides long after the last drop is visible. Some of it, too, is being drawn back to the surface, and thence evaporated into the warm air. Irrigation after sundown has some distinct advantages, if the water can be handled. Sub-irrigation upon soils adapted to its use is the ideal system of applying water, and greatly lessens waste. Orange roots will not enter a pipe- line unless it is full of water all the time. If the pipe is on a 8c 114 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. grade and open at bottom and top so that air passes through it, there will never be trouble from orange roots. Valves, once thought necessary, are not now used. The high cost of the present sub-irrigation systems places them beyond the reach of most orange-growers. SUBSOIL PLOW.* Can the necessity for the use of a subsoil plow be avoided by guarding against the formation of hardpan while orchards are young? Jam quite of the opinion thatit may. But my expe- rience has been with orchards under ten years old, and I have learned that we are frequently obliged to revise opinions very confidently held, as our actual experience extends under new conditions, and this opinion may be quite wrong. If the hard layer is occasioned by repeated drying-out after irrigation, a portion of that stratum should be thoroughly broken up once or twice a year before becoming hard, while the balance of it, I think, can be kept from hardening by careful irrigation. This opinion is based on a good many years’ experience in all soils, from sandy loam to stiff adobe, without any of this trouble- some layer; yet you will allow me to refer to this experience in illustrating—not in any dogmatic spirit, for every year more and more I find that different men will accomplish the same desired results best, by quite different means. Once a year we thoroughly break up the surface with a walking plow, as deep as we can without permanent injury to the root-system, say from six to nine inches. In our earlier planted orchard, where we did not commence with especially deep plowing, we have trouble with the roots even at six inches. In our later plantings, on deep plowing, repeated each season, we can keep a depth of seven to nine inches easily. With this annual plowing we have no trouble in getting the water into the ground during the irrigating season. We aim to make the irrigation most thorough every time. As aids to this, I want to mention three things that we have found of great importance: First—We make our irrigating furrows as nearly the depth of the annual plowing as possible, thus putting the water nearest where needed, greatly reducing the surface saturation where so much water is wasted, and facilitating the early covering of the furrows after irrigation. *Essay by J. H. Reed, of Riverside, read at the Highgrove and Pasadena Farmers’ Institute, January, 1900. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—CULTIVATION. 115 Second—Any portion of the orchard where there is any special occasion we cross-furrow before making main furrows. This done, with a little hard work the short pieces of the cross- furrows are easily filled and kept full. (This is of special advantage among large trees where the spaces between the furrows, between the trees, are necessarily wide.) Third—We run water three days in place of two; total amount of water the same. I think this practice may be adopted to great advantage much more generally than it has been. We find that the third day leaves more water in The subsoil plow, drawn by eight mules, in the Windermere orchards, La Mirada. the ground than either of the others. By this method of irri- gation I feel quite satisfied that the root strata could have been kept thoroughly wet in spite of the hard layer, in any of the voung orchards where I have seen the subsoil plow used. In older orchards where this layer had been hardening for years, the implement may prove of great service. Of course, even in young orchards, the desired results can not be secured by the most careful irrigation, except the water when once in the ground is conserved by proper cultivation. Again, I would like to refer to our own experiences. Instead of waiting for the irrigating furrows to become dry and then breaking them up thoroughly, bringing much of the saturated earth to the surface, as we used to do, as soon as possible— often within twenty-four hours—we cover the furrows instead 116 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. of breaking them up. We do this with a single twelve-inch upright plank, dragged lengthwise with the furrows. We attach the plank to the shanks of an old two-horse walking furrower. This fills the furrows from their shoulders and leaves a light coat of pulverized earth on the rest of the surface. The object is to stop as soon as possible the evaporation of moisture from the saturated bottoms of the furrows. Others doubtless have, or will know, better methods of doing this. For cultivating, for several years we used the Planet Junior, with the widest shovels, for the purpose of moving the hard earth at the bottom, which is more easily done with wide than with narrow shovels. But the objection to bringing so much of the damp earth to the surface had so impressed itself upon me, that this season I determined to try the Killfeler cultivator, with its large number of shovel-pointed teeth, which thor- oughly stirs all the ground without exposing the wet earth. There are serious objections to this implement, but I must confess to being greatly intereyted in the results from it. Using it thoroughly once after each irrigation, when the ground is in best condition, after the furrows are covered, then keeping the surface well loosened with a fine-tooth harrow, I have been able, so far as I can determine, to hold the moisture better than I have ever succeeded in doing before, and I find no signs of any permanent hard layers forming to retard irrigation. PRUNING. For years a strong contest was waged between the advocates of high pruning and those who favored low pruning, and many arguments were urged by the champions of each system in behalf of their favorite method. Victory finally perched upon the banner of the low-pruners, and the greater part of the more recent orange orchards have been trained low, experience hay- ing demonstrated that in our peculiar climate and in the dry soils in which our citrus fruits attain their best condition, low pruning offers great advantages over the rival system. . In pruning orange trees, especially when allowed to grow for several years without it, considerable work and skill are required in removing the surplus inside growth and limbs without destroying the natural symmetry of the tree. The sun should not be allowed to strike the inside wood and foliage, as it is ‘LHDIY NO SIGAVN NOLONIHSY MM ‘Ida'] NO ALVY VIONTIVA—MOT CHNODUd SHAUL ATAVLIAOdd IX GALVTd ‘AUNLTNO SQULIO VINYONTTVO 118 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. sure to scorch the bark and cause the fine brush to die; a dis- eased tree is apt to result. The advice, so often given, “that the tree be opened so as to allow plenty of air and sun heat to enter,” does not hold good with the orange. Whenever the foliage that protects the trunk and main branches is removed, the inside growth is left exposed to the hot rays of the sun. Trees with one side of the trunk sunburned, and dead bark, resulting from -the removal of the brush that protected it, are not uncommon throughout the State. Low-trained trees protect their trunks and inner growth by the shade of their limbs and foliage, and the ground under- neath is prevented from drying out. - Orange orchard pruned high. *“ Experience and careful observation have fully satisfied the members of this club that the formation of low heads is the true method for the Washington Navel and other varieties of budded oranges. The shears should be used sparingly; in fact, scarcely used at all in young orchards, at least for six or eight years. The young growth should be guided with the definite object of developing a close and systematic head. J. H. Reed, to whom I am much indebted, in writing this paper, for definite statements in regard to his experimental work, says: ‘As to pruning, I have demonstrated, to my own satis- faction at least, that need of pruning the orange can be *From report of J. M. Edmison to Riverside Horticultural Club, February, 1899. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA —PRUNING. 119 almost entirely avoided by suitable clipping during the early and rapid stages of growth, while the Jemon needs constant and often heavy cutting from the first.’ It is clearly a great mistake to cut out branches and to thin the top,as we sometimes hear, to let the sunlight in. Indeed, to keep the untempered heat of the sun out from the tender young fruit when setting, and to give shelter from the desiccating hot northers which sometimes cause the destruction of almost the entire crop of a young orchard, should be constantly kept in view, and nota leaf should be removed that can help in the work. Take a Washington Navel tree with dense foliage of a rich, dark green, and you will seldom fail to have a bountiful crop of choice fruit.” The illustration on the opposite page shows an orchard where the lower limbs of the tree have been removed, leaving a clear stock, so as to allow, in cultivating, the horse to pass under their branches and the cultivator to work the ground close to the trunks. No under support is left to the branches, and they require to be propped with poles, and have to be tied to the main limbs. The trunks are left exposed to the sun, and the ground under the trees invariably “bakes” before it can be worked. Citrus-tree pruning can be commenced as early as January and continued through the spring months, but the best time to prune is immediately prior to the season of blooming. Oranges in the southern counties are picked from December to June; pruning follows the removal of the crop, and is regulated according to climatic conditions and the season. In the north- ern counties the fruit is removed much earlier, and pruning is pursued accordingly. At all seasons of the year all superfluous sprouts on the trunk, and stray branches that threaten to throw the tree out of balance, should be removed without delay. The use of a sharp knife is very essential, and all cuts should be made as smooth as possible. All cuts made with a saw, especially large limbs, should be pared down smooth with a sharp knife, then waxed over or painted with gum shellac in proper solution to spread easily. The advantage low-trained trees have over the high-trimmed is easily seen in the accompanying illustrations, made from | 120 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. photographs taken in two of the largest orchards in the State, at San Gabriel. The cut on this page illustrates the method of high pruning followed by some growers who until recently were firm believers in the system. The trees require to be propped to support the fruit which is borne at the ends of the branches. As many as ten to fifteen poles are required on some trees to prevent the breaking of limbs that become heavily laden with fruit, besides tying them with ropes to the main branches. The ground underneath always “bakes” and the trees show yellow- ing of the leaves. Now, pause for a moment, study the picture and see what proportion of foliage is cut away, which, if left, would protect the upper limbs from breaking and al- low the fruit to be borne proportionately throughout. It is need- less, perhaps, to remark that the crop borne on such trees is consider- ably less than that | borne by trees having a: a dense foliage and High-pruned trees—propped. trained low The illustration on page 122 is of a low-trained tree, from a photograph taken in an orchard, and a fair specimen of how the entire orchard looks. No props are used; there is little or no dead wood inside, caused by the hot rays of the sun; no limbs are required to be tied; and above all, the crop is always twice the size of that borne by high-trimmed orchards. In summer the trees must be irrigated, and as the cultivator can not run close to the trunks the surface of most soils will “bake” by the heat before they can be worked by hand. On ‘OLQ ‘ONIddoug UdAON ‘SSAINTAILONGOUG UAH, ‘SAIUT, CINIVEL-MOT PNINOHS—GCUVHOYO GONVUO ONITCAAS LAAAS ‘IX GLVId “AU OLTNO SOQYULIO VINYOXITVO 122 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. low-trained trees, the shade of the branches keeps the ground moist, and in case of excessive heat or scarcity-of water, the trees will not suffer; whereas the heat dries out the soil beneath high-trimmed trees and causes the leaves to curl, and also checks the growth of the fruit unless the trees are again watered. Low-trained trees’ become well balanced, vigorous, healthy, and more productive, and the fruit is much more easily and cheaply gathered. mm | Ba ae % ae A low-trained tree—The favorite method. Propping.—Proper propping of orange trees becomes one of the essential features in orchard work. The old method of propping with willow poles has been improved upon by the construction of a prop which is both durable and adjustable, of which there are several patents. The prop is so placed that the ends rest under the tree, as shownin the illustration on the next page, from a photograph. When so arranged they do not interfere with the cultivator, as they naturally would if placed surrounding the tree on the outside. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—THE CROP. 123 THE ORANGE CROP—GATHERING, ETO. Picking.—Generally the fruit is not taken from the trees at one picking; the ripe fruit is first picked, thus lightening up the trees. The clean, bright-colored, smooth, fine-shaped, firm oranges always command the best prices. Fruit is handled with care. Growers find it an advantage to stem-cut (clip), rather than to pull the orange, as in pulling there is danger of tearing the skin. The fruit should not be packed fresh from the tree, as when so packed it will heat and sweat in the box at an ordinary temperature, and, as the entire contents of the box become damp, there is great danger of rot ae | and decay. The fruit ; should be picked into boxes and left in the packing-house three or four days, to allow the rind to shrink and lose its surplus moisture. Unless the | weather is very cool oranges go through a natural sweat, in which the surplus moisture escapes and the rind becomes Orange tree properly propped. tough and_ pliable; many unseen imperfections, such as slight bruises, etc., will develop into spots, necessitating a more careful selection of the perfect fruit for market. Packing.— Packing oranges has almost been reduced to a fine art, and the following suggéstions offered by experienced growers should be carefully followed: Use only the standard box, which is 113x114x26 inches, with a partition in the middle. It is of great importance in securing a perfect pack that the partition and ends of the box are, in their making, correctly placed. The sizes of oranges vary only one eighth of an inch in diameter, and the least irreg- 124 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. ularity in box-making will cause the oranges of one side to be too high and the other side with the same sized fruit to be too low. In topping the packed box of oranges for shipment, the old method of hooping the ends and middle of the box to secure the box during shipment has been discarded. With a proper machine the fruit is pressed at the extreme ends of the box only. The top pieces are held in place, and narrow, thin cleats are nailed across the top ends, which hold the top firmly in place. The center of the top is left free. By this method the fruit is hardly pressed in the box, and two advantages arise from this practice: The fruit arrives in better condition as to shape and soundness, and the buyer by removing the cleats can readily inspect the fruit and not injure the package. The arrangement which brings one orange directly on top of another, instead of breaking joints, has been discarded by the best packers. Alternated so that each orange comes over the space between two, the whole has more solidity and elasticity, and the fruit, as a result, sustains less injury from rough hand- ling. It is best to pack oranges upon the dovetail plan, which allows the packing of more oranges in the box, and they are so braced against each other as to be immovable. Regulate the size so as to have the oranges packed in tight and rise a full three quarters of an inch above the top of the box. Packers confine themselves to the 96, 112, 126, 150, 176, 200, 216, and 250 sizes. If the sizer be properly adjusted, this will provide for all sizes and simplify matters very much. Do not dump the fruit into the boxes carelessly. Pack close and firm, so that the fruit will not have room to tumble about in the boxes and get bruised. Oranges classed as ‘‘fancy” should be extra bright, with very smooth, thin skin. Rough, thick-skinned fruit, be it ever so bright, should never be classed as fancy. Oranges classed as “choice bright” should be strictly bright and of fairly smooth skin and desirable size. Oranges classed as “bright” should be bright and free from smut. Never pack bright and smutty oranges in the same box. Never pack large and small oranges in the same box. One of the most important features in the packing of oranges is the uniform neatness of the packages. Buyers will pay more THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—THE CROP. 125 for fruit that is neatly and properly packed than they will for that which is carelessly put up. All growers should endeavor to avoid, as far as possible, the shipment of green and imperfect fruit. A few years ago the “windfalls” and “culls” brought paying prices, for the simple reason that there was, comparatively speaking, only a limited quantity of this class of fruit. Remember, however, that of late years the crop has steadily increased, and the supply of strictly good fruit is now becoming amply sufficient to fill ordi- nary demands, hence, the shipment of “ drops,” “culls,” green and inferior fruit simply aids in depressing markets, and inter- feres seriously with the sale of good fruit. The shipment of inferior fruit is neither profitable to the grower nor creditable to the State. THE STANDARD ORANGE BOX. Standard Orange Boxes, 11)4’ x 1144" x 26”. ETS ws ns oh cae ee rnp yee 3 pieces 44 x 1114" x 1144" = 16 f2 =e Sides: see cee atid Sock eee eco mee ee Oo PlECOsnlyn x COI 326" Wleats sa soos uss hen dns Se see ene 2 pieces 34"x 44’ xX 11%" Standard Orange Boxes, 1114’ x 114%" x 26”. HOGS so sca2 sepee, sep cemewensxeses aecke 3 pieces 4” x 11144” x 1114” Sides and bottoms-.-...-. -------.------ 9 pieces 44” x 314” x 26” Ops tion2- 4525 sot ee to cease ee oe le CES Va YG Cléats).s222.c.c.cesessecscbesuesveeegece pleces:34/"s. 4h" xl" Standard Orange Boxes, 1114" x 1114" x 26”. BM G8 222s Sosc a8 sek ae sees Sesceeetee 8 pieces 14” x 11144" x 11" Tops and bottoms, and sides.-.--.....12 pieces 14" x 344" x 26” Cleats: c-s-sseeae eee tase eee 2 pieces 36" x HA" x 114” ‘Half Orange Boxes, 534 x 1114" x 26”. Bids jo deena sees nasee so eee ss sse, sass 3 pieces i" x 534" x 1114” BISIS Sececs cavesne cosa aasereansesecae hes 6 pieces 4" x 514” x 26” @leateres 2 oo ees nee ge ceeteee ease 2 precesig Cx. Fe ey Half Orange Boxes, 534 x 1114" x 26”. PNG Soot waseeees see seek assess 3 pieces 14” x 534” x 1114” Tops and bottoms .-..--.-..------------6 pieces 14x 314" x 26” Gidiedisin Coe crc. les coe neon eet aeae 2 PleCes ue se OM e2Oy Clédts.2- 25 secs Soe teeeereee eet eees 2 pieces 34x 44" x 114" Half Orange Boxes, 111,” x 11144" x 13”. PWNS) eos d oon set Saeeeetanad ss .cere pleces ty Selly ell” Ga oo ee oA oo os eee aad 2 O PIeees I ORG ASM @léatS..acole cscs cee ccseeeeeweeecses 2 pleces age Ae xs 126 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. SIZES OF ORANGES. No. in Inches in Box. Diameter. BLS Deepal ea ane SE eR NE eR Ree SIR Es Pe ee ae SEEN eg BOG og cicctew deen Cabmnarndeva Cade Munkeee oMu ees eeaeswn Law meee 15 Ole gemismneenieteeme o: See ve eaaaane = sGedtess gas ssatsesdetcosemeeeds 3 ATG cs, tetas eta ets cys yea Seach eee et She esr nay ae eters oe DOO OF Nae ara eet tene mes ete Pohang Et orn ee SN OE Ge ee mere ease Be at NS BI cota sa wien eens ocauivcde awed ales Bune aie uae Re aawee ares ee DE OS ree ose ag eh rare A AS APRN Seed ORES Sn rep PN sie estate UO PROCS 3 eae 5 eaten tee aise aie aera ne meee ee Saree OREe aera aceon ee PAPER USED IN PACKING DIFFERENT SIZED ORANGES. Size of Paper. Number of Oranges in Box. BON Barts si eSel sade ole oe Solon eee iam resins wena eaa se 288-324-360 OR Os nae masse Se Ae aG re are ease Se esas Senet eben es 216-250 ease Gee as Bee eae, e Ae eee tes ede, Same ESS 176-200 . - .112-126-150 80- 96 Weight of Oranges.—The weight of a box of oranges varies in each season, in the months of the same season, i different varieties, and in the different sizes of each variety. The difference in weight is caused by many circumstances. In some seasons climatic conditions are such as to build the tissues solid and firm. The plant seems to have an added power to construct the heavy sugar compounds and to build its tissues compact and with more than its usual weight. In arriving at the weight of oranges all of these conditions have to be con- sidered. An average season is when there is a continuous and even distribution of heat units during the summer months, with no frost to break the inner tissues of the orange, causing both evaporation of its juices and re-absorption, preventing the tree giving and the orange appropriating the starch-building compounds from the injured and unelaborated sap. There are also local conditions—as soil, nearness to the ocean, altitude, and the general slope of the orange area, as to the north, east, south, or west—to which may be added those personal condi- tions of irrigation, fertilization, and cultivation. Taking the season of 1895 as an average season, and the. orange growths of March, April, May, and June, produced on the terrace lands of Colton, the average net weights of packed oranges in the standard orange box were as follows: P = Pounds. Washington Navel s3 20032205 se soos Sh eect eee noo. 65.144 Australian Navel: 225. 2,.cvensaee 35 oo ce ekaee, See ence OL ORD, Wlonidla: Navel a sce22 882 sccee a or ues ee Ee ee 67.972 THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—THE CROP. 127 Pounds Weed lin po ams senl dee er ele ee SR eee cee nee ee eh B40 EROTIOSASS ane soso sel tevin tens eek, Wek EA STROM bic ate 65.182 Mediterratiean:Swéet: 2) ee 66.510 St. Michael.__._._._.. Fee Rohe ae ihe nee eee eh 69.172 BIO Cds Sa ett: eee Raker ee BECKS Oe Lands ee 66.352 Nalénelatla tes PA ee Ee SOA Corts 2a OSLO OS Net average weight per box, all varieties and sizes, during the above months. Peseeceheenceteee- | OOBT The three principal varieties grown in California, or that will be grown, are the Washington Navel, Seedling (either natural or budded), and Mediterranean Sweet. The weights of these varieties are: Pounds. Washington Navelles v0 cc2 oss soos Ja es OBAME SCO CI Ges es Cees Soe tts Cer eee Been Py 64.095 Mediterranean Sweet ._..-...-2-.. pe asec ranean ses, OOO1O Net average weight of these varieties --.--................. 65 247 The sizes of oranges vary from 80 to 360 to the box. The size variation in weight per box of the three varieties of fruit is: Pounds. + WeashinitonNa veloc tt gedcnec net ie Secours See ees 6.56 Needing re sees ade eo ee S : Bens @ CHD Meéditermanean:Sweét cc. ack Uaceeennceeeenie ee ce 508 The average difference in weight of the three varieties of the light or heavy sizes is 6.36 pounds. Taking the same size for the determination of monthly variation in weight, and comparing the lightest and heaviest month’s fruit of the three varieties named, the following variations in monthly weights appear for the 176 size: Washington Navel— Pounds. Bepruaryc2oiec: cease Goss assess scene. oeceyc die adie (O04 MAT CVSS kako ee eetn nn tue a ses en ean ee Ae Re Ae eek ee RNG 1D Wiatlation 2 vsescs sds aes his bee ss eee Seneca SeSeeee aT Seedling— WEDTMALY 2n2cees sucess aesesdncsh at nesstecees gaa s-eiseeoeeee 61.24 Maye cree ocpeninsas depo ens erase eee gaan ena eae? Soa IBN Varlation 22x: vecsccecee se cvenceseteds sisees sbceessecedecs 6.27 Mediterranean Sweet— Mayiiic os coho sts donee UR ee ceed Sunde sets 65106 JUNC ceo eh ae Shae ce ecco eas Aer eee Geer ee POMILO V OUR UOM Sessuavanviensuercen soem acaseeadadstaccscamsessen adult These deductions are of value in determining the proper sizes of each variety to grow and the profitable season to market each variety. 128 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. The monthly variation of the Washington Navel shows that it matures early, and that it is practically uniform in weight. With the Seedling it is different; the increase in weight from February to May is over ten per cent—surely a good argument against sending to market the immature fruit of the former date. Standard Car of Oranges.—The regulations governing the variety of size in the “standard car of oranges” were adopted by the Fruit Growers and Shippers’ Association of Southern California, as follows: Navel Oranges.—A standard car of Navel oranges to consist of sizes 96’s to 200’s inclusive; not over 15 per cent 96’s and 112’s. Any excess of 15 per cent 96’s and 112’s to be considered off-sizes and invoiced at a reduction of 50 cents per box. Sizes 64’s, 80’s, and 250’s, Navel, to be considered off-sizes and in- voiced at a reduction of 50 cents per box from the price for regular sizes. Sizes 216’s, in Navels, to be considered off-sizes and invoiced at a reduction of 25 cents per box. Seedlings, Mediterranean Sweets, etc—The standard car of other varieties (except Valencias and Paper-rind St. Michaels) to consist of sizes 126’s to 250’s inclusive; not to exceed 15 per cent 126’s and not over 15 per cent 250’s. Any excess of 15 per cent 126’s and 15 per cent 250’s to be considered off-sizes and invoiced at a reduction of 25 cents per box. Sizes of Seed- ling oranges larger and smaller than 126’s to 250’s, inclusive, to be considered off-sizes and invoiced at a reduction of 25 cents per box. It is understood that each car of oranges may contain a reasonable quantity of off-sizes, at the reductions named above. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—DISEASES, ETC. 129 ORANGE DROPPING, DISEASES, ETC. Generally during the month of June, and as early as May in some years, growers experience a continuous dropping of young fruit, due to various unknown causes. *“ As a rule, growers ascribe it entirely to hot winds, and it is doubtless true that the extremely hot weather finds trees partially dormant and the damage is wrought on the young, tender oranges and lemons before the sap could start to flow- ing freely. But, on the other hand, we can see orchards that still have a fair crop of fruit. Why is it? is easily asked, but not so easily answered. The most universal remedy that is recommended is water, and in so far as it is used to put the treein good condition, is doubtless effective. To do that water should be applied two or three weeks prior to the hot or cold weather: or in other words, the tree should at all times be in strong growing condition. To accomplish this, water in abun- dance down deep in the ground is necessary. Surface irriga- tion is of little avail. It will be noticed that those irrigators who are applying water in the furrow until it reaches the lower end, are the ones who scarcely ever have a crop, whether we have hot or cold weather, or the best of conditions. And right here I might say that the ideal season never comes, for there is always something with which to contend. I plan to irrigate my trees every six weeks, running the water eight or ten hours in each furrow. On heavy soil this would not be sufficient, but on my sandy loam it is. Following the irrigation I culti- vate deeply and thoroughly. I deem the deep cultivation essential so that the surface roots may be destroyed. This is still better accomplished in the wet season by deep plowing. I am thoroughly convinced that deep plowing is beneficial in all seasons, and especially so in dry ones. The roots are forced to go lower to where the supply of moisture is more permanent, consequently such trees are not so quickly affected by any hot wave or sudden change. Therefore, I would say that the first requisite of always securing a good crop of oranges is deeply rooted trees irrigated so thoroughly that at all *C. B. Messenger, before Farmers’ Institute at Pomona, October, 1896. 9c 130 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. times there is in store a plentiful supply of moisture. Should I stop here and say that this is the one thing needful, I presume there are some who might declare it a fallacy, and quote their own experience in proof. In fact, in my inquiries I consulted one orchardist who had irrigated thoroughly three different plots, respectively four weeks, two weeks, and one or two days before the first hot wave this spring, and yet a large percentage of his crop went to the ground.” Wm. C. Fuller, of Colton, says: “I find the best crops near the heads of irrigating streams, and use the method described as so fatal by Mr. Messenger. To be sure I do not get as large a crop as some who use this same method. I had twelve carloads from about fifteen acres.” Yellow and Variegated Leaves on Orange and Lemon Trees.—It is doubtful if there isasection in the State where orange and lemon trees can not be seen with yellow and variegated leaves. ‘This has been ascribed to various reasons, such as too much or not enough water, too much or lack of cultivation, excessive cold, excessive heat, etc. Prof. 8. M. Woodbridge, of Los Angeles, says: “ Without wishing to offend any one for ill treating so good and paying a friend as the orange or lemon tree, we would suggest the answer in one word: Starvation. The remedy then would naturally lie in feeding. In reviewing the analyses of the soils in Southern California, one is naturally struck with the defi- ciency in sulphuric acid that such soils show. Having been brought up in a section of country where it was definitely settled that the ‘only expensive ingredients that any soil was likely to be deficient in were nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash,’ and considering that there the form of phos- phate was invariably a superphosphate, i. ¢., made soluble by sulphuric acid, and further finding that untreated bone is the usual form in which it is used there, and also being con- vinced that the soil-analysis theory had been exploded years since and discarded by people the world over who are looked upon and considered ‘authorities,’ and having shown, by actual field tests, that potash was beneficial even on soils that had been reported as very rich in potash, and when the theo- retical advice had been given that no potash would be required THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—DISEASES, ETC. 131 for many years; and also having followed out the experiments of A. B. Griffiths, Ph.D., F.R.S., of England, with the use of sulphate of iron, and also similar experiments conducted in France, and not having obtained as satisfactory results from a certain test plot on wornout soil as could have been desired, the writer used sulphate of iron in conjunction with the test plot. The result was so satisfactory that when one of the large growers of lemons and oranges last September asked what remedy could be applied to prevent the leaves of his trees from turning yellow and much of the fruit from ripening prematurely when not half grown, I suggested a liberal dose of complete fertilizer— that is, one containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash— together with about seventy-five pounds of sulphate of iron per acre. The orchard had previously been liberally treated with stable manure, yet some of the trees were not in a healthy condition. Now the trees have a healthy green appearance, and nearly if not quite all of the new growth is of a bright or deep green color, whereas the trees that were not treated have the new growth showing a variegated, streaked leaf. Since the first experiment was tried several other plots have been treated in the same way, with the most gratifying results. As to the why and wherefore of the encouraging results obtained from the use of sulphate of iron, we confine ourselves to quoting what Dr. Griffiths says upon the subject: “Three years’ experiments show that a small dressing of a hundredweight of iron sulphate per acre is a most beneficial manure. “<‘The author’s proposition (Chemical News, Vol. XLVII, p. 27) was that a “fairly large proportion of soluble iron in a soil is favorable to the growth of plants developing a large amount of chlorophyll.” And all subsequent investigations on the growth of crops with iron sulphate have entirely confirmed the accuracy of that proposition. “¢A]] soils contain iron as a constituent, but the iron is not always in a form to be readily taken up by growing crops. This being so, a crop must suffer, iron being one of the ingre- dients requisite for the formation of green chlorophyll. “Chlorophyll is a substance of primary importance in every plant (giving rise in the first instance to starch, woody fibers, fats, and carbohydrates generally); therefore it is necessary to 132 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. add soluble iron compounds, where the soil is deficient in these ingredients, or where the iron is not in a form for root-absorp- tion. Some soils are certainly deficient in soluble iron, and no amount of nitrates, ammonia salts, etc, will replace this ingredient. The farmer must add soluble iron salts to his land if he desires to obtain a full yield with the least expense. Dr. E. Wolff, the German authority, found that when soluble iron was omitted in certain culture experiments, the young plants became yellow and sickly, but they quickly became green and assumed a luxuriant growth when a small quantity of iron solution was added.’ (Griffith on Manures, p. 268, etc.)” *«The ‘Die-Back’ Trouble.—This serious trouble is exan- thema or ‘die-back.’ The name is given to a weakness affecting orange, lemon, and other orchard trees. There are several especially bad cases in the San Gabriel Valley, where solid blocks of citrus trees are now utterly worthless. Trees seven years old and in a frostless location have not attained a height of over four feet, in some instances, and bear little or no fruit, while adjoining trees of the same age and seemingly under similar conditions are of large size and bear heavy crops. “Orange trees affected with ‘die-back’ make an apparently healthy growth in the spring and early summer, but the young shoots soon turn yellow, the leaves drop off, and the twigs die back to the older wood, from which a brown granular sub- stance exudes. In a season or two, this older wood also dies. Adventitious buds keep developing at the axils of the leaves, until at the end of the season there are small knots, where there should be healthy lateral branches. Experiments with Bordeaux mixture and carbonate of copper have been made in a badly affected grove near Pomona. The work so far has shown no appreciable results, but it has not yet been carried through one season. ‘“TIn almost all cases of ‘die-back,’ examination has shown some fault in the subsoil, which puts the roots under stress. Such fault may be an underlying hardpan or impervious clay, pure and simple; or it may he excessive wetness or dryness of the substrata surrounding the deeper roots; or the rise of bottom water from below, as in cases of over-irrigation. The *J. W. Miller, in University of California Bulletin No. 138. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—DISEASES, ETC. 183 true ‘die-back’ is not properly a disease, but simply the mani- festation of the distress felt by the root-system underground. The first thing needful is to dig down and examine the roots, and then to relieve whatever fault may be found, if possible; which may not always be the case. Sometimes an appearance similar to the ‘die-back’ is caused by the roots encountering a marly stratum, which is apt to stunt the growth of the tree, causing it to put out a multitude of small, thin branches, and sometimes causing the tips to die off. For this form of the trouble there is no permanent remedy; the trees should never have been planted in such ground, any more than in such as has shallow-lying hardpan or clay. (E. W. H.)] * [‘Mottled Leaf.’—Closely related in its causes to the ‘ die- back,’ and sometimes accompanying it, is the ‘mottled leaf? trouble. It may be properly called ‘partial chlorosis’ of the leaves, and on the basis of that designation it has been attempted to treat it like the corresponding human ailment, with iron tonics and fertilizers. But in every case that I have closely examined, and in most of those reported to me by others who have made such examinations at my suggestion, the cause was not lack of nourishment that could be remedied by such means, but simply an improper condition of the root-system, especially of the deeper roots. When a thriftily growing tree suddenly stops and begins to show mottled leaves, it is clearly not because of lack of nourishment in the soil, but because some of the physical requirements of the tree’s well:being have ceased to be satisfied. In such case fertilization can afford but temporary relief, if any. ‘The commonest cause of mottled leaf is a layer of dry gravel or sand reached by the taproots, throwing them out of healthy action. Of course the same effect may be expected from the exhaustion of the usual supply of moisture in the substrata, which has not been made up for by the comparatively scanty irrigation permitted by the diminished water-supply during the past three yerrs. The cause of the present great prevalence of mottled or yellow-leaf in the citrus orchards is probably a parallel to the wholesale dying out of vineyards in the Santa Clara Valley, regarding which a special bulletin (No. 134) was issued by this Station some months ago. 134 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. “Quite probably, however, other unfavorable conditions affect- ing the roots, such as alkali, marl, or a hardpan layer, may in many cases produce this effect. In any case, the cause should be sought for at the roots before deciding upon possible remedies. (E. W. H.)]” Gum Disease.—There are various forms of so-called “gum diseases.”’? One attacks both young and old trees at the crown and roots of the tree, while another appears on the large limbs in the form ofa “scab,” and another on the trunks and main branches. The most deadly of these is the “root form,” which is preva- lent almost everywhere. This form of the disease is first detected on the trunks of trees close to the ground, and is an exudation of the sap, which breaks through the bark and con- geals in the form of a gum. No citrus tree is free from the disease, and one of the newest facts regarding its appearance is that frequently the finest trees are attacked. It often hap- pens that in making a search for the early development of the disease, no trace of it is observed until exudation has freely commenced. It often happens, too, that in digging away the surface soil around the stem, little more than a black scratch about one to two inches long has been discovered, which when cut open shows the gummy fluid more or less encircling the wood under the bark. Remedy for the Gum Disease.—The best method of con- trolling this disease is to cut away the bark surrounding the place from whence the gum is oozing, in order to detect the main parts affected. The wood where the gum is oozing is cut out with a chisel and left for a day or so, to determine if all the disease has been removed. If it is not altogether removed, the affected parts soon commence to ooze out gum, when more of the wood is cut until it ceases. Yellow streaks of sour sap are generally seen in the grain of the wood, which are traces of the disease. If the affected parts show no further exudation it is proof that the disease has been removed, and the affected parts so treated are either waxed over or covered with a‘ good coat of rubber paint. Where the disease has reached around the tree there is no possible cure for it, and in such cases it is ‘SUHUL SQULIO NO INATVAGUd SASVaS! ‘QUIBS JO [BAOTIAI aq} Aq OsBO -SIP QBOS SNI}IO JO paIno 9a1} Jo FuNI L outs ‘morj10d pesvestp 0 [BAoutaI at} Aq pornd 901} payoaye UV d dvos GNV WS AHL “qno 4nd 04 ApBel ‘jaBd poyoaye I9AO FABG JO [BAOTIOI SUTMOYsS ‘asBasTp INS Aq pe}dAyB 9OIL re OSs, Ck ye » ‘HUM OLTNO SAULIO VINUOAITVO 136 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. better to remove the tree and put a healthy one in its place. The spot where the tree stood should be disinfected by a slack- ing of fresh lime, and the ground permitted to remain exposed for a reasonable time. This disease being of a bacterial form, all chips and scrapings should be carefully collected and burned, to prevent the spread of the disease through the orchard. The tools should also be dipped in some disinfectant before being used on other trees. Some growers are led to believe that badly diseased trees can be restored to perfect health by cutting back the tops and removing all large limbs to force a new growth. In all badly infected trees there are always a few healthy roots that furnish enough vitality to the tree to keep it alive. The cutting away of all the foliage forces new growth, and while the trees some- times produce large, coarse, puffy, and sour oranges for a few years, they finally succumb to the effects of the disease, and it is only a waste of time and energy to try to restore them. *“ Crude commercial carbolic acid was found to be the best remedy, and was used in varying strengths. When mixed with its own weight of water it was found to answer the pur- pose admirably, the gum having been previously cut away, so that the application could be made directly on the parts most affected. The result in almost every case was that new bark began to grow over the diseased parts, at the lines where the old bark was healthy. In cases where the roots had become affected, the ground was carefully pulled away from the roots of the tree to the depth of from six to ten inches, and, after a day or two exposure, the diluted carbolic acid was applied, and in the course of three or four weeks a second application was made, when the soil was put back to its original position, and subsequent applications of diluted carbolic acid were made, from time to time, above the surface of the ground. Coal tar has been found to be very efficacious also. It is applied by taking the soil away from the roots of the tree and putting from one half pint to a quart (according to the size of the tree) in the soil about the roots of the tree, and covering the tar with the soil so removed. Among those so treated are some * Prof. 8. M. Woodbridge, in essay before Farmers’ Institute, Santa Bar- bara, 1894. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION. 137 trees in the famous orange avenue of Sunny Slope. Too much care can not be exercised in the use of carbolic acid. The strength of the commercial acid varies, and it must be diluted to such an extent that the vegetable tissues will not be destroyed by it.” FERTILIZATION. *“The question of fertilizers for the orange orchard has in some form been almost continuously before the club. What kind of fertilizers are the best, and how and when they should be put on, are questions often asked, but never as yet answered to the satisfaction of all. Careful experiments are being made by members of the club, but as yet we have nothing definite to report. However, it is known that the different commercial fertilizers on the market are good, and that freely apphed they generally give satisfactory results. But the growers believe that they are too expensive, and that by buying the chemicals and doing their own mixing, or by applying the chemicals in suitable quantity to the soil without mixing, they may reduce the expense almost one half. This method is likely to be adopted by many growers, and that will tend to lower the price of the fertilizers now on the market. ‘There is a growing conviction among our orchardists that stable manure is one of our most valuable fertilizers, when it can be secured at reasonable figures. A member of our club has a small Navel orchard, fifteen years old, a part of which has been fertilized exclusively with stable manure. It has borne regularly, and the fruit has been fully up to the average standard in quality. But it is probably better as a rule to vary the kind of fertilizer applied.” *From report of J. M. Edmison to Riverside Horticultural Club, February, 1899. 138 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. THE USE OF FERTILIZERS.* In the use of any kind of fertilizer there are so many unknown conditions prevailing, so great difference in soils and in their general treatment, and the ignorance of the construc- tion of the fertilizer, that with me it is difficult to attend to this important work with any scientific exactitude. I presume those who will make the question a study may eventually gain such knowledge as will enable them to discern the wants of their soil, and become sufficiently posted in agricultural chemistry that they will know how to provide these requirements at the least expense and with the greatest degree of accuracy. But what is the ordinary rancher going to do about it? Uncertain Results.—The growers of my section have experi- mented with almost every kind of fertilizer, but the results, in the way of better crops, have not been so marked and so plainly attributed to the applied articles, that many of us dare speak with any degree of certainty. We wish we could. One grower, and the only one I have talked with who has continued to use the same compounded article for so long as four years, has gathered each year a profitable crop. A neighbor adjoining, who has used nothing, has also harvested good crops. Another, who has used different kinds of fertilizers, and with no attempt at regularity, has usually gathered abundance. This, of course, is not conclusive evidence that fertilizers are not helpful, but when similar experiences are general it leaves one in great doubt as to what should be done. We have no money to spend upon that which does not at least bring an equivalent in larger or better crops, yet we are quite anxious to do that which will enhance the quality of the fruit and maintain the groves in vigor for the longest possible time. The soil in the Fullerton and Placentia districts in general abounds in the essential elements—potash, nitrogen, and phos- phoric acid—and is capable of sustaining an enormous draft upon it for a considerable time, if properly manipulated. Win- ter plowing, a couple of good irrigations, and proper cultivation, I believe, have never failed to produce a good crop, providing always that the trees are free from scale and intelligently pruned. We do not consider it prudent, however, to make too *By C. C. Chapman, Pomological Meeting, Covina, 1898. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION. 139 great demands upon the soil without giving back some equiva- lent in the way of plant-food. I think many of our people have tried to discover just what is most needed in the way of substantial diet, but, as previously stated, only a few have found that which is satisfactory. As our groves advance in age, how- ever, more marked results may be noticed in the application of fertilizers. Pretty much every brand of commercial fertilizer finds users among our growers; but so far as my information goes, with one exception, of those who are not interested in some way in the sale of these goods, the users have no very decided views as to results. They are unable to say positively that one kind has given better results than another, and in many cases are not convinced that any favorable returns were obtained from their use. There may be reasons for these discouraging experiences which can be explained by those informed. If we only knew just what to employ with that degree of certainty that we use hydrocyanic acid gas to kill scale, we should feel that the pro- duction of citrus fruits could be regulated with almost scientific accuracy. Great Anticipations.—I recognize one difficulty in the employ- ment of commercial fertilizers that not infrequently prevails, and that is, the too great expectation of immediate good results to be derived from their use. The fertilizer is scattered about and then a magical change is looked for, and a consequent inactivity in cultivation results, and in the end perhaps dis- appointment. We should follow the example of the good Baptist deacon who prayed most fervently for a good crop, and then turned all hands out early to help the Lord answer his prayer. We should not depend upon the fertilizer, however high priced, to take the place of the whole process of crop production. An Experiment.—I have been frequently questioned as to what fertilizer we use on the San Isabel ranch; the parties inquiring wishing to know so that they might employ that which had produced such excellent results. I regret very much that I have been unable to reply to these inquiries in a manner that makes the answer of any practical value. ‘Two years ago I made what I intended to be a fairly practical test of different 140 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. fertilizers. I can not say that the experiment was satisfactory in giving the information that would guide me in the future as to what to do to insure a good crop. Upon a plot of one thousand trees I put a light dressing of sheep manure. Upon the next one thousand I used commercial fertilizer.. The adjoining one hundred I passed without giving anything. Upon the next plot I used lime cake. Next to this I used bone meal. Then,upon another plot, I used the sheep manure, commercial fertilizer, bone meal and lime cake, and some wood ashes—a little of each. The crop came, and it was in great abundance in all parts of the orchard. I am frank to say that I could not distinguish any material difference in the size, quality, or texture of the fruit grown upon the various plots. This was not a little disappointing, for I had looked forward to this plan of testing soil requirements and the rela- tive value of various fertilizers to decide this most perplexing question. I supposed I would be able to tell thereafter just what the soil demanded in order to produce desired results. But I was still left in the dark. I will add that while I may have been unable to distinguish any material difference in results after employment of fertilizers, I have noticed unmis- takable evidences of the value of proper irrigation and cultivation. The year following, last year, being able to secure sheep manure at what I considered a reasonable price, I used it in giving the orchard a light dressing, with the exception of two plots. The harvest was the heaviest ever secured, and the fruits of the highest grade, and I still could distinguish no material difference in the yield in any part of the orchard. Iam quite aware that there was a combination of favorable influences generally prevailing last year, which gave the great- est abundance of fruit to non-users of fertilizers as well as to their most enthusiastic advocates, or to those who used a common article, as to those who applied the most expensive commercial production. So I am still in doubt. The portion of the orchard which is the heaviest set this year is the plot that had the entire combination of fertilizers two years ago. Other favorable conditions, I think, are at least in a measure responsible for this. Aération of the Soil—I am convinced that we have much plant-food in some of our soils that is not utilized on account THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION. 141 of our failure to sufficiently aérate the soil by proper and frequent cultivation. The air, I believe, is an essential factor in carrying on the process of nitrification. A circulation of air through the soil will unquestionably increase the available supply of nitrogenous food. I know little of chemistry, but I observe that soils kept open and thoroughly aérated produce great growth, even without the application of fertilizers of any kind; whereas, soils com- pacted, however rich in plant-food, will not compare in results. I thus philosophize because I believe much plant-food will never be utilized until the soil is properly aérated. Cultivation is therefore an important factor in proper fertilization of soil. How to Apply.—Fertilizers are variously applied by orchard- ists. One grower, and he has a fine, well-kept orchard I notice, scatters barnyard or sheep manure immediately around the trunks of the trees, and extending out five or six feet. Generally, however, fertilizers are scattered broadcast between trees and plowed under; some, however, drill them in. The latter, for commercial goods or ground sheep manure, is the best method, in my opinion. I observe that the grove first referred to is vigorous in growing, but this year has a light crop. However, the advocates of these different methods generally point to good crops as the result of their plans. One thing is certain, it either makes little or no difference with us what is used, or how applied, or else the fertilizers are so all-powerful that it is only necessary to have them come in contact with the soil to have it respond. Some of our people have experimented with green crops for fertilizing, but have nothing satisfactory to report. Perhaps if they had used some of the leguminous plants recently secured from Europe, and so highly recommended by Professor Hilgard and others, results might have been quite different. More Investigation Desirable—I want to commend this subject to the careful investigation of the more observing and scientific of our growers, so that the work of fertilizing our citrus orchards may be reduced to a science so plain, simple, and practical that any of us may comprehend it, and that the results will be such that an all-assuring faith in its principles may prevail. I am pleased to note that the Agricultural Department of our State University, as well as those interested 142 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. in the manufacture of fertilizers, have made and are making a careful study of the subject, and have done much in dissemi- nating general knowledge of the question and in educating the public. Those who give the matter candid and honest thought should be commended, and while they may be pri- marily promoted by selfish motives in the way of financial gain, yet if they devote any special ability they may possess to a more perfect comprehension of the question they should be regarded as public benefactors. FERTILIZING CITRUS TREES.* Some four or five years ago I commenced hauling stable manure on the orchard, and on the information of good authority, that the trees would not need fertilizing probably for some years, and that when they did it would be nitrogen, I bought and applied in the fall Chili saltpeter, a small amount per tree, with the evident result that I had more puffy fruit than Il ever had before up to that date. I say evident result, as the orange-growers who used it in Los Angeles County had the same experience. Four years ago I commenced to apply Woodbridge’s Orange Fertilizer. Following this use my oranges improved in color— at least had a higher color—the increased yield making the oranges smaller and more desirable. Last December I sowed twelve pounds of Woodbridge’s Orange Fertilizer No. 1 per tree, and cultivated it in. Then in January and Febru- ary last I put in addition upon one section of the orchard fifteen pounds per tree of the West Coast Fertilizer; and on another portion of the orchard fifteen pounds of Bradley’s Nursery Stock Fertilizer; and on another portion of the orchard fifteen pounds of pure guano, to test their relative values. From the portion of the orchard where I used West Coast Fertilizer the fruit was the tenderest I ever had; per- haps the word softest would explain the character—and it needed shipment first. My opinion was that it should go under ice; but Chicago said not to ice. When the fruit arrived in the Hast, then the advice came to ice the cars. After shipping this fruit I commenced on’ the section where I had used the Bradley Nursery Stock Fertilizer, and this fruit, * Extracts from essay by N. W. Blanchard, President of the Lemonia Company of Santa Paula, before Farmers’ Institute, 1897. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION, 143 while not soft like the first, did not stand up well, and a large amount of it became puffy and could only be classed as culls. The last shipments of oranges came from the portion of the orchard where guano was used. The fruit was not puffy, although it was late in June. The oranges, however, had com- menced to drop a good deal and did not keep much better than the rest. It should be added here that the promise for the next year’s crop of oranges is best where I used the Bradley fertil- izer; then next the West Coast, and last where the pure guano was used. It should be said that there was a general com- plaint last year that all the oranges did not keep well. I was told in both San Francisco and Sacramento that never before did oranges keep so poorly. Now, the interesting question is, Why did the oranges not keep as well as formerly, and what was the cause of the difference in the quality and keep- ing of the oranges? It will be remembered that the rains of last winter came slowly and timely for the agriculturists, and a larger portion of the rain was taken up by the soil than in any winter of my remembrance since I have been in the valley, a period of twenty-five years. The orchards were soaked with water for several months. This probably explains the reason for the general non-keeping quality of the last orange crop; and the only reason I can assign for the differ- ence in the keeping quality of the oranges from the different sections of my orchard was the difference in the amount of nitrogen in the different fertilizers—the poor crop being accentuated, perhaps, by the stable manure put on the orch- ard. One point was called to my attention, to wit: that the trees bordering a deep ditch through the orchard had better fruit than the trees more distant from the ditch, indicating that the ground needed draining. In regard to the use of nitrogen or ammonia, I had supposed that the same result would be attained in whatever form it was used, and have only recently learned that this is not the case. For instance, ammonia in Chili saltpeter is very quickly taken up by the tree roots, or washed out of the soil by rains or irri- gation, while it may be so combined in other materials as to give up its ammonia slowly, and this would make a difference in the value of fertilizers of the same analysis. A few years ago I found some of the limbs of the orange trees dying and some dead. This I have arrested, I believe, 144, STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. by fertilization. I am this year using the Bradley Orange Tree Fertilizer at the rate of thirty pounds per tree, or twenty- four hundred pounds per acre, making two applications in the year, say one in January and one in July. ECONOMY IN FERTILIZATION.* Numerous inquiries regarding the necessity or expediency of potash fertilization in this State, and the fact that active mis- representation of my views and teaching in the premises has been made by interested parties, render it expedient that these views should be briefly formulated in print for the benefit of persons interested. What the Plant Needs.—It is an elementary fact, pretty generally understood, that, strictly speaking, all substances used by plants for building up their tissues are of equal impor- tance; in so far as in the entire absence of any one of them, plant development can not occur at all. But it is universally known and admitted that all but three or four of these are present in ordinary soils in sufficient amounts and in an available con- dition for the purposes of plant growth. The only ingredients usually required to be replaced by the use of fertilizers are potash, phosphoric acid, nitrogen, and lime. Any fertilizer containing all of these may be considered “ complete,’ and when supplied after each crop in the same amount and in the same proportion as has been finally withdrawn by the sale of the crop, soil exhaustion can be indefinitely prevented and fertility perpetuated. The only question, then, about which there can be any discussion is: whether in every case the use of all the four substances is really necessary, or whether one or more can, for the time at Jeast, be omitted. This question arises most obviously with reference to the great differences existing in the kind and amount of draft made by different crops on the soil. Thus, root crops withdraw very large amounts of potash from the soil, while drawing but lightly upon phos- phoric acid and nitrogen; on the other hand, cereal crops are known to draw very. heavily on phosphoric acid and nitrogen, while taking up a comparatively small amount of potash only. These facts form the main basis of the utility of rotation of “*By Prof. E. W. Hilgard, Director of Agricultural Experiment Station, University of California. In ‘“ Pacific Rural Press,’ November 4, 1896, THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION. 145 crops; and the same principle is recognized in the practical fertilization of the root crops with fertilizers that include chiefly potash, while for grain a combination of nitrogen and phosphoric acid is usually given and found most profitable. Supplying Deficiencies.—The reason why in many cases the return of one or two of these fertilizing ingredients can be omitted from the replacement is that the soil itself frequently contains a larger proportion of one or several of these same ingredients in a form available to plants; that, moreover, these ingredients, usually occurring in the soil chiefly in a difficult soluble condition, are gradually set free, by the “ fallowing” action of the atmosphere, from their insoluble combinations, so as to become available to plants; and that if the soil is naturally rich in one or more of these ingredients, the return of such ingredient may be omitted, either after a fallow or after a crop that has drawn but lightly upon it. Thus, after a root crop phosphoric acid may usually be omitted from fertilization, if the soil is known to be (naturally or artificially) rich in phos- phoric acid; and the same, of course, is true of potash and nitrogen in other cases. In so doing, the husbandman draws upon the natural resources of the land, availing himself of the advantages of a rich soil; but those who cultivate soils nat- urally poor may be compelled to return in every case each one of the three or four ingredients needed for and commonly used in fertilization. Wasteful Practice.—Were the immediate return of everything that the crop takes away necessary on every soil, the possessor of rich land would have no advantage over the owner of poor land, for as soon as the first flush of fertility is exhausted in the virgin soil, both would be equally obliged to supply the full amount of ingredients withdrawn from the soil by each crop. But the experience of centuries has shown that such integral replacement is altogether unnecessary on very many lands, and, as a result, the use of a “complete” fertilizer is in Europe a “rare exception, save as regards stable manure. Farmers buy the individual ingredients as furnished in commerce, according to the supposed requirements of the land, as deduced either from its previous history or from the known richness of the soil in either one or the other ingredient in question. 10c 146 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Complete Fertilizers.—In the United States the habit of pur- chasing everything ‘ready made’ prevails to an unusual extent, and fertilizer manufacturers mostly cater to this demand by supplying “complete fertilizers,” compounded in accordance with the known requirements for certain crops, therefore on the supposition that the soil supplies nothing of itself. In purchasing these complete fertilizers the farmer is, therefore, likely to pay for one or perhaps two ingredients which the soil may not require at all to produce the most profitable crops, when his money would be probably much better spent in procuring a larger amount of one substance specially needed. The enor- mous waste of money thus incurred is now so well recognized in Europe that the manufacture and sale of mixed fertilizers has been almost completely superseded by that of the simples themselves. A farmer buys superphosphate, potash salts, or nitrogenous fertilizers separately, in accordance with a rational understanding of the requirements of his land, more particularly with reference to the nature of the preceding crop, the amount and the kind of draft made on the land, and the character of the latter. That this is the only rational and economical mode of using commercial fertilizers is indisputable; it is only in the case of stable manure itself that the farmer is compelled to use all the ingredients indiscriminately. The farmer who, either from lack of knowledge or from inertness, spends his money for ‘‘com- plete” fertilizers, a part of which he may not need at all, need not be surprised if the increase of crop resulting from their application does not yield adequate returns for the outlay incurred. The fertilizer manufacturer naturally desires to sell his wares and is not specially interested in reducing the farmer’s expenditures therefor. California Soils.—As regards the soils of this State, experience has shown that an unusually large proportion of them remain profitably productive without fertilization for a considerable length of time, and that when virgin soils, or such as have been under cultivation for a short series of years only, fail to pro- duce satisfactory crops, it is usually due to other defects than lack of fertility, requiring to be supplemented by fertilization. Even in the East it takes from seven to thirty years to reduce the production of “fresh” soils below profitableness, and the nature of the crops grown being known, it is not difficult to THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION. 147 determine what ingredient or ingredients are most urgently required to restore production. A simple leaching with water shows many of our valley soils to contain, in water-soluble condition, a large proportion of potash salts, so as to render the idea of supplying more of the same substance simply absurd. Thus, the ten-acre experi- mental tract near Chino contains per acre an average of over 1,200 pounds of water-soluble potash in the first three feet, equivalent to the amount required for eight twenty-ton crops of sugar beets, without drawing on the less soluble but much more copious soil store. Similar cases are common in other valley regions of the State. These facts speak for themselves. Equally simple tests show that in the great majority, probably at least three fourths, of the soils of the State, lime is so abundant that it need not be supplied for centuries to come at least. These facts are easily ascertainable by any one having even a superticial knowledge of chemistry. But more elaborate investigation and analysis show that while both lime and potash are present in unusually large proportion, as compared with soils east of the Mississippi and in Europe, phosphoric acid and nitrogen are, on the contrary, as a rule, present in small amounts, and likely to become deti- cient in a short time under exhaustive cultivation. What to Use First—Upon these plain and simple facts is based my recommendation to California farmers that, when- ever production of their land becomes unsatisfactory, they should try any large-scale fertilizer first with phosphates and nitrogen, and, should this not prove fully satisfactory, then with potash also; this being the order in which these substances are likely to become deficient in most of our soils under culti- vation. In the course of time potash fertilization will become widely necessary in this State, also; but it is certainly not among the first things generally required, as is actually the case in the Kast and in Europe. Under continuous heavy cropping with root crops, such as beets, potatoes, or artichokes, or with small fruits, such as strawberries, potash fertilization has already, as a mat- ter of fact, become necessary at some points and will gradually become more so. On the gray soils of the foothills of Amador and Placer counties we have found it necessary from the very 148 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. outset, these soils being as poor in potash as Eastern lands. The same is true of some of the sandy lands of the interior. My advice to the farmers of California is and has been simply that, in order not to waste their money for the purchase of ingredients probably not necessary, they should begin by sup- plying those most likely to be required at the time, and to turn to the use of potash fertilizers only after they have found the effect of phosphatic and nitrogenous ones to be unsatisfactory. The efforts of those interested in selling as much as possible of their manufactured products are, quite naturally, in opposi- tion to this policy, but the advice of the interested party is not usually the one most likely to benefit the taker. How to Make Experiments.—Plot experiments made with dif- ferent fertilizers must, in order to be of definite value, be made on a sufficiently large scale to eliminate the source of error arising from local differences in soil and subsoil, and must be checked by several check plots so interposed between the others as to not only check them by direct comparison, and to prevent the washing of fertilizers from one fertilized plot to another, but must also be compared, first of all, among themselves, so as to determine what is the normal product of the unfertilized land. It will frequently be found that these unfertilized check plots differ more widely between themselves than do the fertilized ones from them or from each other. It usually takes several seasons to come to definite results. A question wholly aside from those discussed above is that of the special modification of crops by the use of a surplus of certain substances known to produce a specific effect. Thus, common salt is known to make asparagus and some other vegetables more succulent and tender; nitrogenous matter increases the size and succulence of fruits, and some experi- ments made with potash fertilizers on oranges point to an increase of sweetness thereby. It is then simply a question whether or not purchasers appreciate such modifications suffi- ciently to render their attainment a profitable undertaking, apart from any increase of the crop or the maintenance of soil fertility. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION. 149 ADVANTAGE OF FERTILIZING SMALL TREES.* Careful experiments have established another important point in bringing a young orchard into speedy and profitable bearing. That is, that by giving it a moderate dressing of stable manure, or some other good fertilizer, it may be brought into bearing one or two years earlier than if no fertilizer had been used. Experiments have been made by fertilizing some parts of a young orchard and leaving another part without, demonstrating that the part fertilized would bear enough more than the other, the first crop, to far more than pay for the fer- tilizer used, while, owing to the increased growth of the trees, a still greater difference in productiveness would be realized in the second crop. The fact is well established that a young orchard judiciously fertilized and well cared for, at five or six years from planting may be brought into profitable bearing, while one of the same age which has not been fertilized will give small and unsatisfactory returns. The two orchards cost the same for water and care, and yet the one fertilized yields a handsome profit, while the other little more than pays expenses. FERTILIZING THE SOIL AS AFFECTING THE ORANGE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. t Fertilizing for Growth and Fruit.—Primarily the orange- grower desires to know how to fertilize so as to stimulate either growth or fruit production. With oranges, as with many other agricultural plants, one may fertilize in such a manner that excessive growth is stimulated at the expense of fruit produc- tion. A strong nitrogenous fertilizer results usually in much growth and little fruit. This seems to be particularly true if the ammonia is added in an organic form. While trees are young it is probably well to favor the growth of wood princi- pally; but at the age of seven or eight years from the bud, the tree, if it has grown properly, will have attained sufficient size to begin to produce a fair quantity of fruit. It should then be given a slightly modified fertilizer, containing more potash and *From report of J. M. Edmison, to Riverside Horticultural Club, Febru- ary, 1899. + Extracts from an article by Herbert J. Webber, Assistant in Division of Vegetable Pathology, Washington, D.C. A deduction from Florida experi- ence, which naturally will interest California citrus-growers. 150 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. phosphoric acid and less nitrogen, to stimulate fruit production as much as possible. The so-called chemical manures appear to be much more active in stimulating fruit production than organic manures. Effect on Quality of Fruit.—The experience of many orange- growers indicates that the quality of the fruit may be largely controlled by fertilization. As oranges are purchased very largely on their appearance and quality, this becomes an important consideration in manuring. Many intelligent grow- ers are coming to believe that the best results can be obtained by giving the trees an application of that element only which seems to be lacking, and not using, as a majority do, a com- plete fertilizer, in definite proportions, regardless of whether all the elements are needed by the plant or not. If it can be determined by the appearance of the tree and fruit what element is lacking, this would seem to be the most rational way to fertilize. It seems reasonable to suppose that by careful study patho- logical characters induced by starvation might be found, which would serve to indicate clearly the lack of any particular element. Some growers claim to be able to recognize these characters now, and are fertilizing largely on this modified plan, taking advantage of what we might call the sign language of the tree. Some of these characters will be mentioned below under the consideration of the different elements used. Effect on Soil Moisture.—In fertilization at least two factors must usually be considered: the element of plant-food supplied, and the effect of this upon the soil as aiding it in supplying the plant with moisture. The heavy application, in late fall or early spring, of an organic manure, like blood and bone, which is extensively used in Florida, is liable to lead to injuri- ous effects during the spring drought, if the trees are on high and dry land. On the other hand, such soils might be ameli- orated by using substances which attract water and increase the surface tension of soil moisture. Nitrogen, for instance, used in the form of nitrate of soda, and potash, in the form of kainit, would tend to draw up the subsoil moisture and proba- bly aid largely in supplying the necessary moisture during this trying season. ‘The use of organic manures, on the con- trary, would only exaggerate the damage produced by drought. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION. 151 If groves are on very moist land, as is frequently the case in Florida, where the necessity is to lessen the moisture rather than to increase it, some form of organic manure, as muck or blood and bone, might be found of benefit. Effect of Fertilizers on the Orange in Health.—The elements which need to be supplied in fertilization to most Florida orange groves are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus; or, using the terms in which they are expressed in most analyses of fertil- izers, ammonia, potash, and phosphoric acid. The application of lime would also prove of benefit to many groves. Probably no element of plant-food used in the fertilization of orange groves should be more carefully considered, with respect to both form and quantity, than nitrogen. It is the most costly and at the same time the most dangerous element to use, as excessive applications are liable to result in extensive dropping “and splitting of the fruit or in the production of the serious disease known as die-back. Effect of Nitrogen.—A grower may with considerable certainty determine by the appearance of his trees the condition of his grove in respect to the supply of nitrogen available in the soil. An abundance of nitrogen is indicated by a dark green color of the foliage and rank growth. The fruit shows the effect of an abundance of nitrogen by being, in general, large, with a com- paratively thick and rough rind. If the trees have a yellowish foliage, with comparatively small leaves, and show little or no growth, there is probably a lack of nitrogen. In this case there is but little fruit formed, and that formed is small and usually colors early. If the tree is starving from a lack of nitrogen, the foliage will become very light yellow and sparse, and the small limbs will die, as will also the large limbs in extreme cases. If the starvation is continued, no fertilizer being added, the tree will finally die back nearly to the ground and prob- ably die out entirely. The extreme symptoms of general starvation from lack of all elements are probably nearly the same. The nitrogen used in fertilization is commonly derived from mineral or organic sources. Of the former, sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda are the forms most used; of the latter, muck, dried blood, blood and bone, cottonseed meal, tankage, fish scrap, stable manure, etc., are the forms most commonly employed. 152 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Stable Manure of Doubtful Utility—Barn manure is largely used by many growers, who still hold to the tradition that chemical manures are injurious to the plants. The benefits of barn manure in an orange-grove are in serious question. The fruits produced by nitrogen from this source are usually large, coarse, thick-skinned, with abundant rag, and of inferior flavor. If barn manure is used—and most growers have a limited quantity and desire to use what they have—it should be spread over the grove lightly, so that each tree receives only a small amount. Where such manure is depended upon as the main element of fertilization, liberal dressings of potash should be occasionally applied; this will tend to correct the evils of an overbalanced nitrogeneous fertilizer. What has been said as to the effect of barn manure on the quality of fruit applies equally to the effects produced by muck, cottonseed meal, blood and bone, tankage, etc. In general, organic fertilizers do not stimulate fruiting to the same extent as the mineral fertilizers. It is probably better economy to apply such fertilizers to annual crops, cereals, garden truck, ete. Mineral Nitrogen.—The mineral nitrogen manures, nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia, apparently stimulate pro- duction of fruit more than organic manures, and yet promote a fair general growth. The fruit produced by fertilization with these salts, used in correct proportions with the other elements which it is necessary to apply, is usually of good yuality, being solid, juicy, and rich, with thin skin and little rag. Sulphate of ammonia has the effect, growers testify, of sweetening the fruit to a considerable extent. There seems to be little doubt as to the correctness of this view, but why it is so remains in question. The sweetening is probably more marked if there is a slight deficiency in potash. The use of very large quantities of either sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda may result disastrously, acting as ‘chemical poison,” killing the trees outright and causing them to throw off their leaves. Sulphate of ammonia has been very widely used among orange-growers. Nitrate of soda has been but little used thus far, but is apparently growing in favor. Its insecticide and water-attracting properties are probably much greater than those of sulphate of ammonia. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FERTILIZATION, 153 Potash Fertilizers.—In fertilizing the orange, potash is most frequently used, either in the form of the sulphate or of wood ashes. While sulphate of potash has been most widely used, there is apparently little evidence that it is superior to other forms. Muriate of potash, containing the equivalent of about hity per cent of actual potash, the form probably most used in the apple and peach orchards of the North, has been little used in orange groves. Apparently those who have used this form have obtained uniformly good results. Kainit, or German potash salt, which isa crude double salt of magnesium sulphate with calcium chloride, containing the equivalent of from twelve to fourteen per cent of actual potash, is a form much used in Northern orchards and is promising for use in orange groves. Its very active effect in increasing the surface tension of the soil moisture, and thus attracting water to the trees, might make it an excellent form to add in early spring to aid the plant in withstanding the spring drought, which is so frequently injurious to the orange tree and sometimes fatal to the fruit crop. Growers not supplied with facilities for irrigation would, undoubtedly, find it profitable to consider carefully points of this nature in fertilization. The noticeable effect of potash on the orange tree appears to be its aid in completing and matur- ing the wood. Apparently an insufficient amount of potash is shown by an excessive growth of weak, immature wood, which does not harden up as winter approaches and is liable to be injured by frost. An abundance of potash, in the form of sulphate of potash or tobacco stems, is said by many growers to produce excess- ively sour fruit. That potash is very necessary in fruit production is shown by the fact that the fruit contains a large percentage of this element. An average of fifteen analyses of different varieties of Florida oranges shows 52.05 per cent to be about the usual amount of potash in the ash of the orange fruit. The ash in these fifteen analyses averaged 0.916 per cent, or less than one per cent of the total weight of the fruit. Phosphoric Acid.—Phosphoric acid, which is a very necessary element of fertilization on Florida orange lands, is mostly used in the form of dissolved bone black, acidulated bone or phos- phate rock, soft phosphate, raw bone, guano, etc. The immedi- ate effect of phosphoric acid on the orange tree and fruit is little understood. Several intelligent growers claim to be able 154 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. to recognize the effect of phosphorus starvation by the appear- ance of the new growth of leaves. If these, when they first push out or while they are still young and tender, present a slightly variegated appearance, mottled with light and dark green, it is claimed they are suffering from lack of phosphorus, and that if a liberal application of some soluble phosphate is applied this appearance may be checked. If this can be shown to be true it will prove a valuable index. to the available quantity of phosphoric acid in the soil. A similar appearance may, however, appear in light cases of the so-called “‘ frenching,” a disease, or probably more properly a symptom of disease, which is not uncommon. Phosphorus starvation, it is true, may have some effect in inducing this disease. Inme.—Lime, it is usually supposed, is present in sufficient quantities in most of our soils. It may be questioned, how- ever, Whether the common high pine land and scrub land, and indeed much of the flat woods and hammock of the interior of Florida, might not be benefited by dressings of lime. From the superiority of oranges grown on soils which are known to be rich in lime it would seem that this is probably a very desirable and necessary element for the production of superior fruit. The fine, smooth-skinned, and deliciously flavored Indian and Halifax River oranges, with their characteristic aroma, are grown largely on soils rich in lime from shell mounds and coralline and coquina rock. The oranges pro- duced in the noted Orange Bend hammock, which are of dis- tinctive quality, with delicate, rich aroma, and thin, smooth rind, are produced on a soil underlaid by a marl rich in lime. Lime soils are in many orange countries considered superior for orange-growing. Dr. A. Stutzer, in his work on the Fertilization of Tropical Cultivated Plants, writes: “The orange and citron fruits desire a deep, porous, dry soil, rich in lime. If sufficient lime is not present the fruit will be thick-skinned and not have a fine aroma.” It appears also that the effect of abundant lime is to hasten to some extent the time of ripening. Fruits grown on soils rich in lime appear to color and become suit- able for shipping somewhat earlier than those grown on soils containing but little lime. To secure a good quality of fruit the regular application of lime may be found very desirable in many groves. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FROST PROTECTION. 155 Fertilization as Affecting Disease-—Probably the most com- mon cause of injury to orange trees is a lack of fertilization, yet it is not infrequent for disease to be induced or aggravated by excessive or improper fertilization. This may, indeed, be of much more importance than we are at present inclined to believe. One of the forms of die-back, a common and destruc- tive disease of the orange, is quite evidently due to errors in fertilization. In other cases the disease appears to be caused by planting in improper soil. FROST PROTECTION. The Riverside Horticultural Club appointed a committee consisting of J. H. Reed, E. W. Holmes, E. L. Koethen, E. A. Zumbro, and J. H. Martin—all practical orange-growers—to investigate the question of orchard protection against frost. The committee, after a careful investigation of all the methods in use and experimented with, made its report, which was adopted, as follows:* With the assistance of some fifteen or twenty citizens inter- ested in the study of the points involved, a most complete test has been made of the many different methods employed to pre- vent frost damage. With such a force of competent and impar- tial observers, it was possible to secure data of much value in forming an estimate of the efficiency of the various plans made use of. Careful comparison was made between those orchards where no work was done, and where no direct effect of the fire was probable, and those where the different methods were being tried. As indicated by our partial report at the last meeting of the club, these tests were in some particulars eminently satisfactory, as showing the way to definite conclusions. The exceptionally long period of cold following gave addi- tional opportunity to verify the first conclusions reached, and subsequent investigations made by ourselves, as well as by other citizens who have awakened to the possibility of protect- ing their property, strengthened and confirmed the opinion formed as the result of the tests already partially reported upon. *Riverside Press, February 19, 1898. 156 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Some theories are proven to have little practical value, and members of your committee have modified their views some- what in consequence. No preconceived notions have been allowed to stand in the way of a thoroughly practical study of the facts as they exist, to the end that the growers may not, for the lack of definite knowledge as to the direction their efforts should take, neglect reasonable precautions hereafter to insure the safety of their crops. These, therefore, are our conclusions: First—There is no doubt whatever that the temperature of our orchards may be materially raised by the use of dry heat. Second—The radiation of the earth’s heat can be very consid- erably lessened by moist smudges, when these are started early enough and are properly managed. Third—The possibility of raising the dew-point on one of the dry cold nights peculiar to our climate, sufficiently to prevent damage, by means of steam-producing apparatus, seems impracticable. ; Fourth—Fruit and trees can undoubtedly be saved, even in the coldest sections, by covering them with cloth or matting; but the expense involved makes this method impossible on the part of the ordinary grower. Fifth—lt is found that the temperature in an old seedling grove, or where tall windbreaks afford to smaller fruit trees a like protection, is almost invariably one or two degrees higher than in exposed orchards in the immediate neighbor- hood. ‘This fact seems to thoroughly upset the theory strongly held by many intelligent growers that the tall, well-located windbreak is a disadvantage; the contrary seeming to be the truth. Sizth—It is found that the temperature twenty feet above the ground is from one to two degrees higher than at the sur- face, and that, as a rule, when the cold is severe enough to injure the ripest fruit, fifty feet from the ground there is almost invariably a temperature above the freezing point of water. Prof. Zumbro, who has given special attention to this matter, finds that at the height of fifty feet the temperature is from five to ten degrees higher than at the surface, when the air is not in motion. When there is any considerable breeze it varies but little. Seventh—Our conclusion is that, all things considered, the coal baskets, sufficiently numerous, will prove the most satis- THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FROST PROTECTION. 157 factory and effective means of warming the orchards yet made use of. It is'true the oil pots make a far hotter fire, and are neither expensive nor difficult to manage, but the deposit of lampblack upon tree and fruit resulting from their use con- demns this system for general use. As to the value of smudging, the members of your com- mittee are not so well agreed. Because of less sharply defined results, we find it more difficult to come to definite—at least uniform—conclusions. But, under certain conditions, we are convinced that, properly used, it may be made a valuable means of protection. We think this especially true in locali- ties where the temperature never falls but little below the danger point, and where there are considerable solid areas of young orchards exposed. Here it will work well if the protec- tion is made general. But where the danger is considerable, we think it wise to be prepared to use dry heat, even in connection with the smudge. The benefit from smudging is probably as much from its protecting fruit and trees from the sudden rays of the morning sun after a freezing night as from modifying the temperature during the time of danger. Experience demonstrates that flooding or running water in connection with dry heat or smudging is a valuable adjunct. One of the committee which has been testing this matter care- fully for three years is disposed to think that the direct benefit from running water is overestimated by the majority of grow- ers. Its value in putting orchards in condition to withstand safely quite severe weather is unquestioned, but the committee is inclined to think that entire dependence upon this method will occasionally result in serious loss to those who trust to this means alone, especially when used in young orchards. As to the number of baskets needed when coal is used, we find the most decided and satisfactory results have been gained where from twenty to fifty coal fires have been used to each acre. If intelligently and energetically used, this plan will never fail, except when the mercury drops below 24° for a long while, and even then it is believed the larger portion of a crop may be saved if anything like a general use of such fires be secured. The smaller number of fires named has in numerous cases, and even when a man was working alone, secured a rise of from three to five degrees and saved a crop. Can it be doubted that fifty fires per acre used in every orchard would 158 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. save both trees and crop on the coldest night ever known in California’s history? ‘ To equip an orchard with fifty baskets to the acre means an outlay of only a little over $5. The fuel to run them one night costs from $2.50 to $3. Ifa crop of Navels upon the trees is worth $400, it will pay well to spend in fuel and labor #4 per night, or one per cent of the value of the crop, to insure its safety. In the orange region of Southern California it is not usual to have more than two or three nights in a season when the fruit is in danger. But even if, as in the present season, the period of cold is more extended, will it not pay to expend at least as much as one pays for his irrigating water to secure the safe maturing of a crop it has cost him a year’s labor and heavy expense to produce? The conclusion is obvious that we have only to provide for the insurance of this sort of property exactly as we would in the case of that liable to destruction by fire, to be enabled to follow the business of orange and lemon growing with the certainty of having perfect fruit to market at the season’s end. While the practicability of protecting our orchards from frosts seems established, the problem of the most economical and scientific means of accomplishing this is probably yet to be solved. However well the wire baskets may serve us now, there doubtless will be improved methods for burning coal, and even other material may be found that will serve the pur- pose better; and while wet straw seems at present to be the most available for smudges, doubtless when the need is made known, chemists will find some vapor-producing material more compact, efficient, and economical. Hence we recommend that the club appoint a permanent committee to continue these investigations. ROOFING PROTECTION AGAINST FROSTS, AND HEAT IN SUMMER. After having tried several other methods of protecting trees from frost, none of which proved absolutely safe, the Everest Rancho incorporation at Arlington Place, Riverside County, decided to roof over a portion of their orange grove. Such were the results of the first trial on three acres that the company extended it over seventeen acres, shown in the accompanying illustrations, made from photographs taken on THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—FROST PROTECTION, 159 the spot. The proposition embraced in the covering is to pre- vent the warm air from leaving the immediate vicinity of the trees at night. During the day the earth and trees become warm, but as the night cools the atmosphere the process of Roofing over an orange grove at the Everest Rancho, Arlington Place, Riverside County. radiation sets in and the heat from the earth and the trees is carried off, the cold frosty atmosphere taking its place. The idea was conceived of covering the orchard with canvas, which could be rolled up in the morning and let out at night. One Covering shown from beneath. acre was covered in this way, but it was found to be too expen- sive and unstable, as the canvas would get wet and decay. The present method costs about $450 an acre. The fruit borne by the trees under this covering has matured perfectly and the 160 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. covering serves two purposes, 2. ¢., protecting the trees from the effects of frost, and from excessive heat in the summer. The posts are 3x4 redwood, 18 feet long. The trees are so planted that the posts are placed 21 feet 3 inches apart each way, setting them 8 feet in the ground, thus allowing about 15 feet in the clear for height of the trees, which is sufficient for most Navel trees. These posts are connected by pieces of 1x4 pine suitably braced, on top of which another strip of 1x 4 has been securely nailed to prevent the whole from swaying side- ways with the weight of the cover. This, when placed in position, is braced horizontally with braces of 1x3 pine, 7 feet long. Thus is secured a framework that is quite rigid and on which a man may walk freely, provided he has a head clear enough to walk on a four-inch strip. Over this were stretched galvanized iron wires, diagonally, of No. 11 wire, which are securely stapled on top of each post and to the horizontal braces. These diagonal wires are stretched very tight with iron stretchers, and throw a portion of the weight of the cover on to posts directly that would otherwise be borne by the pieces of 1x4 pine, 21 feet 3 inches long. These diagonal wires are supplemented by wires running across the framework at right angles to the direction in which the cover is laid. These four wires—two diagonal and two cross wires—steady the whole construction and distribute the weight more evenly. Thus is the framework completed. For the cover Arizona laths were used, being the lightest and best for the purpose, and were wove on a lath machine into common chicken fencing, placing the lath one inch apart and weaving with six wires— three double strands. This is made in sections 21 feet 3 inches long and rolled up preparatory to being taken to cover. In covering the framework four rolls made of four-foot lath and one roll of five-foot lath are used, thus filling out the space over each tree of 21 feet 3 inches as nearly as is necessary. It takes 100 lath to each roll, or 500 to each tree; and as the trees are planted 100 to the acre, 50,000 laths are required to the acre. This Arizona lath is cheaper than ordinary pine in that part of the State. The crop of fruit under this covering was of good size, color, and quality, and while the construction of the cover could be, and no doubt will be, improved upon, it has proved of great benefit as built. THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—QUESTIONS. 161 LEAF SHELTER AN ADVANTAGE.* Old “Sunny Side” hag again covered herself with glory. Eight consecutive big crops is her record. I had sold five carloads before the chilly night of December 29th, and have just finished delivering the second lot of five cars on a satis- factory cash sale. Since the “chill” I have delivered in bulk at the packing-house, and the fruit has packed nearly four fifths “fancy,” and this fruit, too, was, by special contract with the buyer, picked from the outside of the trees where most exposed. The fact is that my twenty-acre orchard of 1,500 orange trees is well prepared to resist chilly weather. The trees are so large, so thrifty, and so densely covered outside, that they are like so many houses shingled with broad orange leaves clear to the ground. The interior spaces under each tree, filled with the sun-baked air of the day, bid defiance to “Jack” on a cool night, and prevent him getting in his diabolical work before another day’s sunshine comes along to oust him entirely. I have never lost a crop, though of course some of the fruit on the outside will sometimes “take cold”; but there is great protection in a shelter of thick, broad, healthy, glossy leaves. QUESTIONS AFFECTING ORANGE CULTURE. During the year 1898 the Horticultural Society of Highlands invited its members and citrus-growers having any questions regarding any phase of orange culture to send them to the Society, for submission to the orange-growers of the State. The following were received and answered:t Question: Should hardpan within two feet of the surface be considered a barrier to the planting of orange trees ? Pror. E. W. Hizearp, of Berkeley: Yes, if impenetrable by roots. J. H. Reep, of Riverside: Yes. «8B. B. Barney, in California Fruit Grower, February 1, 1896. + Reported by W. M. Bristol, chairman of committee. 11—c 162 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. H. D. Moors, of Redlands: Hardpan within two feet of the surface will eventually ruin any orchard. Its effects will probably be noticed by the third or fourth year. Dicrst or Discussion BY THE CLuB: The question doubtless refers to the natural hardpan underlying the red mesa soil common in California, and not to the artificial hardpan (so called) which is formed in orchards by the tramping of horses used in cultivating. The latter occurs immediately below the cultivated stratum, and is caused by driving over the ground too soon after rain or irrigation. The natural hardpan may be divided into three classes, namely: gravelly, sandy, and clayey hardpan. It is found at varying depths, and runs from a few inches to several feet in thickness. Analysis shows it to be deficient in nitrogen, but rich in potash and phosphoric acid, the same being true of the looser soil found underlying it. In many cases it is impervious to either water or roots, and consequently marks the downward limit of the soil capable of holding moisture or of yielding plant-food to the tree. Question: Is it advisable to break up this hardpan, and will tt stay broken up? Pror. Hitgarp: Yes, to both. Mr. Reep: Other conditions being markedly favorable, yes. If well done it will stay broken up. Mr. Moore: If an orchard is already planted in’ such soil, it would be advisable to put in three or four cartridges at equal distances around the trees. The soil has been found to pack down hard again in three years after blasting. C. KE. Mosner, of Pasadena: Yes. Hardpan once broken up will not form again. Tue Cius: Yes, if the stratum is not too thick. The grav- elly hardpan, which is probably the hardest for roots or water to penetrate, is the most easily and permanently broken up. Question: What is the best method of blasting in such cases, and what is the expense? Pror. Hirgarp: Bore into the hardpan and use one-half pound of No. 2 giant powder in each hole. - Mr. Reep: Giant powder. Expense depends on condition of hardpan. ‘ Mr. Mosner: I took the contract for blasting the hardpan ~ THE ORANGE IN CALIFORNIA—QUESTIONS. 163 on seven acres of land near Raymond Hill, South Pasadena, at 15 cents per hole, and cleared #5 a day at it. The top soil was 23 feet thick, the hardpan 3 feet. I dug the holes to hard- pan, then with a 14-inch wood bit welded onto a 5-foot shank I bored down 20 inches into it, put in one stick of No. 2 giant powder, tamping it with fineearth. It blewa hole clear through the hardpan, the hole afterward being cleaned out and filled with top soil. Tue Crus: The foregoing replies were indorsed. No. 2 giant powder is preferable to No. 1, because its slower action cracks and shakes the hardpan more thoroughly. Good results have been obtained in orchards already set, by putting one stick of powder directly under the tree. It is important that the charge be in the hardpan—not under it. If exploded below the hardpan its force is expended in making a cavity there without breaking up the overlying stratum. It is well to clean out the hole and fill with sand, thus insuring the free penetration of water to the substratum. Of course in putting the blast directly under the tree, the hole must be made slanting. Some roots are necessarily broken, but the benefits are largely in the majority. CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. PLATE XIV. FRUIT AND BRANCH—PRIMAL TYPE. (Citrus limonum vulgaris.) THE LEMON INDUSTRY. THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA. 165 THH LEMON. Citrus medica Limonum, Risso. SEEDLINGS.—Hypocotyl becoming woody, erect, terete, finely pubescent, wiry, pale green, 2.3-2.9 em. long. Cotyledons two, rarely three, mostly alternate, fleshy, oblong, obtuse, pale green, finely pubescent, sessile or subsessile, somewhat notched at the base. Stem woody, erect, terete, tinely pubescent, wiry; first internode variable, 1.6-2.3 cm. long; second, 2mm.; third, 3mm.; fourth, 7.5mm. Leaves compound, cauline, alternate, exstipulate, petiolate, glabrous, deep green, shining, pubescent on the nerves beneath when young, permeated with translucent glands, doubly crenulate, emarginate; petioles subpu- bescent, winged, [sometimes wingless,] with a prominent midrib, and taper- ing toward the base. Nos. 1 and 2 unifoliate, frequently also Nos. 3 and 4. All alternate at greater or less distances from each other, or in pairs, or all four verticillate, ovate, obtuse, emarginate, articulated at the top of their petioles, or the lowest pair articulate at the base only. Nos. 3 and 4 frequently digitately trifoliate, the terminal leaflet being lanceolate-elliptic, attenuate at the base; the lateral leaflets arise by segmen- tation from the terminal one. No. 4. In some instances five-foliolate; the rachis between the basal and next pair of leaflets winged and tapering toward the base in the same way as the primary petiole; leaflets sessile, lanceolate-elliptic, emarginate, minutely and doubly crenulate, smaller than the leaflets of unfoliate leaves.—Srr Joun Lvssock, ‘‘ Contributions to our Knowledge of Seedlings,”’ Vol. I, 1892. The flower of the lemon is of medium size, with a reddish tint outside, but white within. Fruit pale yellow, generally oval, ending in a nipple-like point, seldom round or pyriform. The skin is smooth, about the thickness of that of the orange, becoming greatly reduced, thin, pliable, and leathery to the touch after being stored away, styled “curing.” The lemon is not so hardy a tree as the orange and is more susceptible to frost. While this is true, it is also true that it does not require so high a temperature to bring out its best qualities, which it will attain on the coast, where the orange is inferior. The lemon is a prolific tree, bearing more fruit than the orange and requiring more water; but the treatment of the tree in the matter of planting, cultivating, etc., except pruning, is the same as that required by the orange, and the rules laid down for the latter apply equally to the former. 166 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. The lemon has received less attention in California than the . orange, owing partly to the extra care required in its prepara- tion for market, and partly to the impression that it was not so profitable a fruit to grow. Of late years, however, much more attention has been given to lemon culture, and the area adapted to lemon growth has been widened. It was thought that this fruit would flourish only in a few favored nooks in the citrus section, but experience has proved that there are numerous places in the higher lands—the foothills and mesas— of the southern and central counties where the lemon will flourish. The result of this has been a great impetus in lemon planting in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Tulare counties. This has been aided, too, by the fear that the very extensive planting of oranges would result in the reducing of profits in orange-growing. Improved methods of handling and curing the lemon—the outcome of years of experiments—have resulted in securing a fruit which commands a good price and competes with the imported article, making lemon-growing profitable. These facts have turned the attention of planters toward the lemon, and it is probable that this fruit will steadily advance in popularity until it reaches a place in our fruit exportations beside that of the orange. VARIETIES. The varieties of the lemon are not as numerous as those of the orange. While many varieties have been introduced, some of our choicest have originated here. The common seedling, of poor shipping and keeping qualities, that used to be met with in almost every orchard in the State, has been discarded, and in its place stand varieties which possess exceedingly high merit. The fruit of the varieties now grown is not over-large, but of a uniform medium size, good keepers, with a sweet rind and a delicious, strong acid. Lispon.—Fruit of medium size, fine grain, sweet rind, acid strong, few seeds, an excellent keeper. Grows very uniformly on the tree, and ripens evenly. The tree is a strong grower, very prolific, thorny, but thorns decrease as the trees grow older. Imported from Portugal. THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 167 Dr. J. H. Needham, in an essay before Pomological Society, at Covina, in 1898, says: “The advantages claimed for the Lisbon are that it bears its fruit uniformly all through the tree. But the disadvantage is that the tree is thickly stud- ded with long, sharp thorns, which, when the branches are waved by the winds, puncture much of the fruit, spoiling it for the market, especially the Eastern market. Another objec- tion is that it does not come into bearing until it is from seven to ten years in orchard, and bears only one crop a year.” VILLA Pranca.—Fruit oblong, slightly pointed at the blos- som end, rind thin, without any trace of bitterness, acid strong, Cross-sections of Villa Franca Lemon (cured specimens)—natural size. juicy, nearly seedless. Tree almost thornless, branches spread- ing and somewhat drooping, foliage very abundant, which pro- tects the fruit from scorching. The tree is a strong grower and less susceptible to cold than most varieties. Imported from Europe. Dr. J. H. Needham, in an essay before Pomological Society, at Covina, in 1898, says: ‘‘The advantages claimed for the Villa Franca are that it makes a more compact tree and bears its fruit more uniformly over the entire tree; but, from my experience, it requires at least one year longer to come into bearing, and the fruits on young trees are shorter when they have the requisite diameter for picking than either the Eureka or the Lisbon.” 168 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. AcME (syn., “Sweet Rind,” ‘“ Hale’s Seedling’’).—This is an old established variety; originated at Los Angeles. Resembles the Lisbon in many of its characteristics, so much so that it has been confounded with it. The fruit is similar to the Lisbon, grows uniformly, of medium size, strong acid, with a sweet rind; a good keeper. The tree is a more upright grower than the Lisbon, has fewer thorns, and is of a much less spreading habit. Evrexa.—Fruit medium size, sweet, smooth, glossy rind, and an excellent keeper. Acid strong and most pleasant, with very few seeds. Tree semi-dwarf, sparse foliage, inclined to bear at the extremities of the branches, and endangering the fruit to sunburn. A remarkable lemon. Originated at Los Angeles. Dr. J. H. Needham, in an essay before Pomological Society, at Covina, in 1898, says: “The advantages of the Eureka are its comparative freedom from thorns, its tendency to early bearing, and, when properly trained, to enormous crops when it comes into full bearing, by its continuous blooming and setting of lemons all the year, especially in sections that are comparatively free from frost. The objections are its tendency to set its fruit on the tips of the branches, and the inclination to grow long canes with but few laterals, and to drop its leaves on the long canes or branches, thus leaving the limbs and fruit too much exposed to the hot rays of the sun in the heated term of summer. But this can be remedied by proper pruning from the time the tree is one or not more than two years in the orchard, being careful to keep off all sucker growth, and cutting back the long branches to not more than twelve to eighteen inches, in the spring and fall; June and October being a fair division of the growth of the year. Always cut away the larger of the two or three branches that have started near where the branch was pruned the previous time, as the bold, rapid growers will only make a wood growth, while the smaller twigs or branches will form the fruit spurs, which bud, bloom, and bear the fruit.” Genoa.—Fruit medium size, oval, sweet rind, and nearly seedless; a good keeper. Tree of a dwarf habit and thornless. This is one of the best lemons grown in the State. Astatic.—Fruit medium size, oval, thin rind, with an agree- able strong acid. Tree semi-dwarf, thornless. THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA—VARIETIES. 169 Bonnie Braz.—A vigorous growing tree, quite thorny, and with distinct foliage. The fruit, which resembles a lime in appearance, is of a medium size, ribbed, and with exceedingly thin rind. Stcity.—Fruit large and coarse; keeps only with extreme care; inferior. AcNEs.—Fruit medium size, sweet rind, pulp very fine, with strong acid, and few seeds. Thorns few, short and blunt. Tree a rapid grower, medium dwarf, and drooping in character. OLtvia.—Fruit medium size, of good quality, acid strong. Tree a thrifty grower and a good bearer; thorny. “Royat Messina.”—Introduced from Florida, under the name of Sicily, but there being numerous varieties under this name, “ Royal Messina” was applied to it, identifying the same with one grown in Florida by that name. It is a choice lemon of medium size, seedless, strong acid, skin thin, pliable, and an excellent keeper. Tree nearly free from thorns, strong in growth, and of dark, elegant foliage. GARCELON’s Kyosppy.—Fruit medium size; when cured, very thin rind, juicy. Tree a good grower and prolific. Bouton.—Fruit medium size, sweet rind when cured, very seedy. Tree very thorny; inferior. Sweet Rinp.—Fruit very large; tree very thorny; inferior. Mixan.*—Fruit medium size; an exceptionally fine lemon. CaLirorNia Siciny.—Name applied to common seedling lemons. CHINESE.— Fruit large, the size of a citron, which it resembles. Fruit of little commercial value, except the peel, which is used for preserving purposes. Tree is of a dwarf habit—a bush. In former years it was extensively used as a stock, but being subject to the gum disease and unable to support the growth of the orange and lemon, it has been discarded. Ever-Bearinc.*—Fruit large and coarse. Decreases in size as the tree grows older. Sicitran.*—A lemon of superior quality. Lamep.*—Fruit medium; strong acid. Bryov.*—Fruit medium and a good keeper. V ARIEGATED.—The leaves are mottled with white; ornamental. NapoLeon. —Fruit medium size, thin rind, oblong.