8i 

 EARLY ORANGES. 



24th January, 1906. 



The Governor directs* the publication, for general information, 

 of the following letter from the Director of Public Gardens and 

 Plantations, containing suggestions for promoting the earlier 

 ripening of oranges. 



By command, 



H. Clarence Bourne, 



Colonial Secretary. 



Department of Public Gardens and Plantations. 



Hope Gardens, Kingston, P.O., 



1 2th January, 1906. 

 SIR, 



I have the honour to acknowledge your letter No. IIOO2/13504, 

 dated 14th ultimo with reference to the controversy on the ship- 

 ment of unripe oranges, and asking nie to consider whether it is 

 feasible to cause oranges to ripen earlier. 



2. There are two classes of oranges exported viz. : the fruit of 

 seedling trees, and that of budded trees, of which the number ex- 

 ported of the former is enormously in excess of the latter. The 

 problem therefore refers chiefly to the fruit of seedling trees. 



3. Budding trees from early varieties can to some extent and 

 after a considerable time, bring in early fruit : these trees will also 

 be affected by any solution of the general problem. 



4. To the peasantry, who own the vast majority of the trees, 1 

 would offer the following suggestions. Early fruit is encouraged 

 by:- 



(1) removal of all fruit late in October or early in Novem- 



ber, 



(2) removal at the same time from the trees of all dead 



wood, lichens, moss, and other growths, — this of course 

 should be also done throughout the year. 



(3) opening up the main roots for a foot or 18 inches from 



the stem, and removing the soil from them. 



(4) application of lime on surface of ground from stem as 



far as branches extend, — all the above work to be 

 finished during November. 



(5) forking up the soil in December for a breadth of a foot 



all around the tree just outside the extremities of the 

 root-system, and application of woodashes, bones and 

 a little well-rotted pen manure to it, or the equivalent 

 in commercial fertilisers. 



(6) maintaining a mulch of grass, &c., from January until 



the fruit is full and then removing it. 



* Jamaica Gazette, 25th Januavj', 1906. 



