402 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



photographs of fruits from select trees and of typical trees were 

 obtained. A large number of oranges from the select trees were scored 

 with the aid of a score card worked out for this special purpose. In 

 the individual orange scoring the weight, circumference and diameter 

 of the fruits, thickness of rind, number of seeds, core diameter, amount 

 of juice, size of navel and navel opening, number of sections were 

 measured, and other important characteristics described. Soil samples 

 were taken in all the plots for future analyses and study. Samples of the 

 natural growth of plants in the orchards were prepared for identifica- 

 tion. Collections of insects and fungi were made. In other words, as 

 complete records, data, photographs and material were secured as was 

 possible for us to collect during this study. Seven weelcs were devoted 

 to this work and very little time was lost from climatic or other causes. 



PROPAGATION. 



The universal stock used in Bahia for the propagation of the navel 

 orange is Laranja da Terra or commonly called the Brazilian sour 

 orange. The seed is sowed in seed beds much like the practice in Cali- 

 fornia nurseries. Two methods of transplanting the seedlings are 

 practiced; in one case the seedlings are transplanted in the common 

 nursery rows, and the other plan is to transplant the seedlings directly 

 to their permanent places in the orchard. The latter plan, we were told, 

 is becoming the more popular one from the fact that it tends to produce 

 more hardy trees. 



The seedlings are budded when about two years old, at which age they 

 reach a size of from one-half to one inch in diameter. Shield buds are 

 commonly used, and are cut from bud stocks of about the same size as 

 the seedlings. These buds are inserted in the seedlings at from ten to 

 twenty inches above the ground, high budding being the rule. The buds 

 are wrapped with nieori palm tiers, which are removed when the buds 

 have united with the seedlings, usually a matter of from ten to twenty 

 days. After the buds have united properly, the seedlings are cut off 

 about two inches above the buds. In about one year, u.sually, the budded 

 trees are ready for transplanting to the orchard from the nursery, 

 except where the seedlings have been budded in place in the grove. The 

 spring months are considered best for budding as a rule. Colonel Demet- 

 rio, the leading propagator of Bahia, advises to ''always bud with the 

 increase and full of the moon, best in the full of the moon." If the 

 budded trees are taken up for transplanting the earth is ''balled" about 

 the roots and set in special fibre baskets. The tops are cut back 

 severely, only some small branches with their leaves being left on the 

 trees. The trees are usually headed in from two to three feet of the 

 ground. We saw budded navel trees offered for sale in the public 

 market of Bahia at from 50 cents to $1.00 each. 



PREPARATION OF LAND. 



The value of orange land not planted near the city of Bahia is 

 said to be from $10 to $100 per acre. Further removed lands within 

 the municipality or around the bay are valued at from $3 to $15 per 

 acre. Orange lands with bearing trees convenient to the city are said 

 to sell at from $300 to $500 per acre. In preparing the land for 

 planting the bush is cut off and either sold directly or charcoal is 



