138 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



second year from the bud. It bears regular and heavy crops. The 

 fruit commences to ripen in December, and remains sound and firm 

 on the tree until the "following August." The Southern Horticult- 

 ural Society at one of its meetings adopted unanimously the follow- 

 ing resolution : " That we recognize in the orange known as Garey's 

 Mediterranean Sweet, specimens of which have been presented to 

 this societ}^ at ever}' meeting since April last, an orange which 

 possesses rare keeping qualities, as the specimens presented to this 

 societ}^ this 11th day of August, fully testify." Very few better oranges 

 are found in the world than some of the best Los Angeles seedlings, 

 but these should be perpetuated by budding, and are now so perpetu- 

 ated. The Naval, Blood, and St. Michael are also good varieties. 



The orange is a tree that manifests a grateful thrift for good care. 

 It will grov,' and bear well in nearlj^ all parts of central California 

 where other fruits will prosper without irrigation; but good cultiva- 

 tion through the first part of the summer, and the addition of judi- 

 cious irrigation later in the season, will add to the size and ciuality of 

 the fruit. Sub or underground irrigation is particularlj^ adapted to 

 the orange, as it is naturally a surface feeder, and water applied to 

 the surface has a tendency to bring its roots too near the top of the 

 ground, while water deeper down induces a deeper and better posi- 

 tion of the roots, and the trees will thus be in a condition to with- 

 stand a greater drouth without injury, in case of necessity. 



The orange tree, as a rule, is verv free from diseases of anv kind; 

 but poor, neglectful cultivation and too much irrigation in the 

 southern counties of this State have produced a disease known 

 there as the gum disease. It affects the tree at or near the roots, and 

 more particularly in heavy soils when the water is allowed to come 

 in contact with the tree. Sub-irrigation would not probably produce 

 this disease, as the surface soil would remain light and dry. Strong 

 manure applied immediately at the base of the stem is believed also 

 to cause the gum disease. Care in cultivation is the best preventive 

 and the best cure of this disease. Oranges budded on the orange root 

 make a more hepJthy tree than when budded on the lemon root. 

 The scale bug, which is found in some of the orange orchards, 

 is also believed to be induced by neglect, and to be prevented by 

 care and good cultivation. If the tree is thrift}^ it is not likelj^ to be 

 troubled with disease. Whale oil soap and sulphur applied to the 

 tree is a good remedy for the scale disease, and it is believed to be a 

 good application for the tree in other respects. We are not aware 

 that any disease has shown itself in central California, and we trust 

 with good cultivation it will remain exemnt. 



