lo June, 1911.] Citrus Fruit Culture. 373 



keeping pace with our demand, and in this instance Victorians are forced 

 to provide a living for people of other States and countries to produce 

 for us what we can readily grow ourselves. 



The Soil. 



The choice of a suitable soil for oranges and lemons should be the 

 first care of all intending citrus growers. So much depends upon the 

 right soil ; and while these fruits will generally grow for a time at least 

 wherever planted, yet they do not possess the power of adaptability in 

 regard to soils, that other classes of fruit trees have. Two points lor 

 citrus soil must be insisted upon; first, perfect drainage, and second, 

 friability of texture. 



Whether the drainage be natural or artificial, and natural drainage 

 is always to be preferred, this is the first consideration in selecting the 

 site for a citrus grove. There must be no possibility of any stagnant or 

 sour soil conditions at any time during the life of the tree. Such con- 

 ditions will inevitably result in the setting in of one or more fungus 

 diseases on the roots. For this purpose, it is preferable that the presence 

 of a clay subsoil should be guarded against, unless the overlying soil is 

 of such a depth that the roots do not penetrate into the clay to any extent. 

 The subsoil should be physically of a naturally porous condition, and 

 only such a subsoil will produce the best results, both of tree and fruit. 

 If the trees are planted where clay subsoils exist, then these must be 

 artificially drained, either by very deep subsoiling or by agricultural 

 drains, or preferably by both. 



The .second condition, a friable soil, is also an essential one. A soil 

 where the mechanical conditions are suitable, and in which the texture 

 is loose and friable, approaching to a sandy nature, is the suitable soil 

 for citrus trees. The .soil may be granitic, alluvial, a sandy loam, or it 

 may even be pure sand ; any light loamy or sandy soil will carry the best 

 oranges and lemons. Stiff clay soils, heavy basaltic soils, solid loamy 

 soils, and shallow soils are all to be avoided. It is more important to 

 have a friable soil than a rich soil ; it is more i)rofitable to have a free 

 acting soil, than one rich in plant food ; although a fair proportion of 

 vegetable humus is always desirable. 



The sand hills on the banks of the Murray and its tributaries, the 

 pine rises and ridges in the Goulburn Valley and in the Mallee, the alluvial 

 valleys on the river banks, and between the ranges, in the North- Eastern 

 district, are all eminently suitable for the cultivation of citrus fruits.- 

 Some of the finest oranges ever produced in Victoria were grown on almost 

 pure sand, on one of the sand hills on the Murray banks near Cobrani. 

 In one season, oranges of the Washington Navel variety were grown weigh- 

 ing 19 ozs. and 21 ozs. each. In every way they were perfect specimens. 

 While, therefore, a good or even rich .soil is not to be despi.sed for citrus 

 culture, a perfect mechanical condition of both soil and subsoil is more 

 to be desired. A poor soil carrying such requirements is better than a 

 rich heavy and undrained one; and if it be possible to establish the citrus 

 grove in land that does not require subsoiling, the results will be successful 

 aufl payable. 



Preparation of Soil. 



All tree stumps and roots should be taken out of the citrus site. These 

 are a vorv fertile factor for tlv^ dissemination of several fun-^Mis disea.scs. 



