THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 395 



pounded fertilizer, the uncertainty of its exact construction, combined 

 with the great difference in soils, and the varied requirements in gen- 

 eral treatment, make it difficult for me to attend to this important 

 work with that degree of certainty I should like. I cannot deny, 

 however, that we have gained much valuable experience in this important 

 treatment of our orchards. We have learned the absolute necessity of 

 supplying plant food to the soil if we would grow an orange crop 

 annually. We have aLso learned that in ordinary soil and with trees 

 over a dozen years old, a much heavier application of fertilizer is 

 demanded than most of us have been in the habit of giving. I think 

 that in many cases crop shortage, which is often charged to unfavorable 

 climatic conditions, is due rather to a poverty of proper plant food in 

 the soil. 



Irrigation. 



Many of us have learned to use irrigating water more wisely than 

 m former years. The custom prevails in most sections of irrigating 

 very frequently simply because the "turn comes around." This I 

 regard as detrimental both to the permanent strength of the soil and 

 to the production of the best quality of fruit. Irrigation should be 

 thorough but not frequent. We are to understand, however, that all 

 soils cannot be treated alike. For instance, it is injurious to light soil 

 with sandy or loose subsoil to run water on it for any great length of 

 time. This leaches the life out of the surface soil, washes away the 

 humus and causes a weakness which soon shows on the trees. A 

 grower should know the character of his soil to a depth of five or six 

 feet. Unless he be acquainted with it he will not realize the damage 

 he may do by improper irrigation. 



Less frequent, but thorough irrigation and better cultivation^ will 

 not only produce a superior grade of fruit, but will keep the soil in 

 better condition and avoid washing, leaching or baking. With ordinary 

 soil while too frecpient irrigation may be detrimental, there is little 

 danger of it being too thorough. More water should be put in the 

 soil than is usually the case. 



Pests. 



Citrus trees seem to invite numerous and troublesome pests. This 

 is the ease at least in most districts. These are not only a source of 

 annoyance and expense, but if harbored will lower the quantity and 

 quality of the fruit and finally entirely destroy the tree. 



The black scale is very generally scattered over every citrus district, 

 although the farther one goes from the coast the less troublesome it 

 becomes. The red and purple scales are not unknown in many of 

 our best orange sections. These are enemies that ought to receive 

 prompt and vigorous attention wherever and whenever they appear. 

 A grower will pay dearly for being indifferent in his efforts to destroy 

 them. Fumigation is the only successful means that may be emploj^ed 

 to do this. 



