344 TI1E FLORIST. 



thin, and so was the crop of Damsons. Looking at the result of the 

 past summer, on fruit trees, there is good hope for another season, if it 

 proves propitious when the trees are in bloom. The wood on wall fruit 

 trees has so far ripened well, and as the present frost will stop all further 

 growth, we may expect to get the ripening process completed early, and 

 of course the wood well matured — the same rule will apply to orchard 

 and open garden trees ; so, with our present prospects, we may look 

 forward hopefully to 1860. 



I see by the Gardeners' Chronicle that a garden superintendent for 

 the Horticultural Society is advertised for at a liberal salary, to 

 commence with the new gardens at Kensington Gore, the subscription 

 ist for which, it appears, from the same source, is nearly filled up. We 

 hope he best things from this successful move towards resuscitating the 

 society. But whether the garden committee (who have the appoint- 

 ment of the superintendent) will succeed in obtaining a person possessing 

 the many qualifications which the Gardeners' Chronicle states are 

 indispensable to any one filling the office, is very doubtful ; it is an 

 extraordinary opening, and certainly the qualifications required are no 

 less extraordinary : we shall see ! 



G. F. 



THE ORANGE. 



The Orange (says Sutton in his work on the Grape and the Orange) 

 has generally been found to succeed in countries most favourable to the 

 cultivation of the Vine, though it requires a very different soil ; and a 

 lower latitude would also seem congenial to it. It is not indigenous to 

 Persia, though it is now much cultivated there. The China Orange, 

 like the Grape, is the better for a little frost. In Australia* I have 

 noticed that the fruit begins to ripen and acquires the highest flavour 

 after the frost has checked the growth of the trees, which there make 

 strong autumnal shoots, and in some cases produce abundance of flowers 

 at that season. The fruit on the top of the tree is the best, has the 

 thinnest rind, and the highest flavour. There are several varieties in 

 the colony, but soil and situation make a considerable difference in the 

 growth and quality of the fruit, as the tree is very choice in its soil, and 

 will not thrive in such as are not suited to its nature. 



It is curious to notice the changes which have been made in 

 the names of the Orange, since I can remember. In London, more 

 than sixty years ago, they were then generally known as the China 

 Oranges. " Here's your sweet China Oranges ! " was then the cry : 

 now it is the " Real St. Michaels ! " the fine Lisbon, the Malta, the 

 Mandarin, the Tangier, &c, all of which, I believe, are varieties 

 from the China Oranges. Time makes great changes in the names of 

 things. Certain it is, also, that climate, soil, and cultivation work 

 wonderful changes in plants and fruits, so that they can hardly be 

 known again by the skilful botanist. The varieties of the Orange, like 



* Fruit of the "Navel" Orange from Australia, was exhibited in Webber's 

 window, in Covent Garden, last spring. 



