GARDENS AND ORANGE GROUNDS OF ST. MICHAEL'S. 249 



Orange-trees were first introduced to the Azores by the Por- 

 tuguese ; and as the fruit became an article of commerce in 

 Portugal, their extension was encouraged in those islands, in 

 all of wliich they grow. Fayal formerly exported nearly as 

 many Oranges as St. Michael's. About ten or twelve years ago 

 the Orange-trees of Fayal became infested by a species of Coc- 

 cus to such an extent as to render the Oranges worthless. It was 

 found impossible to destroy the pest, and the trees were all cut 

 down. Terceira annually exports from twenty to thirty cargoes 

 of Oranges ; St. Mary's one or two. St. Michael's at present is 

 the great mart for Oranges, but unfortunately there, too, the 

 Coccus has made its appearance, and several quintas have been 

 already destroyed. It is supposed by many that the Orange- 

 trees in St. Michael's grow spontaneously, and produce their 

 fruit without any care. This is a mistake. Before the Orange- 

 trees can be planted, a high wall must be built, and Pittosporum 

 uudulatum planted around and across, to break the force of the 

 winds. P. undulatum is now generally used, growing quicker and 

 possessing a more handsome appearance than the other trees 

 employed for this purpose, A hedge of P. undulatum will grow in 

 five or six years from twenty to thirty feet high. When the 

 walls are built and shelters planted, the ground is trenched, but 

 an attempt is seldom made to level it, the walks following the 

 natural undulations. This done, the Orange-trees are planted 

 at a distance of from twenty-five to thirty feet apart, and the 

 ground sown with Lupins, which are considered by the Portuguese 

 to be a favourite food of Orange-trees. Seven years elapse from 

 plantiug-tirae before the Orange-trees come into full bearing ; 

 during which space the garden is cropped with broad Beans, 

 French Beans, Melons, and Water Melons. The quintas of the 

 poorer proprietors are always cultivated ; the wealthy discon- 

 tinue this practice at the expiration of the above-named period. 



The Orange-trees are annually primed — thinning out their 

 superfluous branches, so as to allow a free circulation of air, 

 which is required for the proper maturing of the fruit. The 

 trees bloom in March and April, and Oranges are gathered as 

 early as November for the London markets. The Portuguese 

 never eat them before the end of January, at which time they 

 possess their full flavour. 



Orange grounds vary in size from one to sixty acres, and they 

 are rarely wholly occupied by Orange-trees ; Limes, Citrons, 

 Lemons, Guavas, and other fruit trees are scattered about in them. 

 There are only two kinds of Oranges cultivated in the island, 

 viz., the Portugal and the Mandarin ; many varieties of the 

 former exist, and they are greatly improved by the genial climate 

 of St. Michael's. The Mandarin Orange has not been many years 



