DIVISION OF GARDENS AND GROUNDS. 703 



worst. In the Azores, where some of the finest oranges in the world are produced, 

 the soil is volcanic. Orange trees grow in clay land, and in some cases do very well; 

 nevertheless it is the worst land for oranges, in that it is the most retentive of water,' 

 very liable to crack on the surface in summer and break the fibrous roots. In addi- 

 tion to this, it is held that clay land produces sour fruit. The lighter the soil, the 

 sweeter the fniit. In the orange districts of New South Wales the orange is grown 

 on sandy loams, which, as a rule, are underlaid with marl or shale strata. 



One of the oldest and most successful orange-growers in Austraha explains his 

 method of planting as follows: "I plant the orange tree as near the top soil as pos- 

 sible, not more than 3 inches from the surface. I collect the soil around to cover 

 the roots. The soil under the tree should not be worked so deep as that farther 

 away. For about three years I plow the ground, and every time I plow towards the 

 tree, so that I collect a good depth of soil. This brings it to a nice round, and leaves 

 a surface drain for the water. I advocate plowing until the fourth year. The tree 

 should be planted as shallow as possible, and every time the ground wants cleaning 

 it should be plowed towards the tree, leaving*a furrow drain between the trees. My 

 furrow drains are a foot deep. When the trees are bearing the ground is never dug 

 up, but chipped over with a hoe— just scraped, in fact. I also bend the tap root, and 

 sometimes put a slab under it." 



Respectfully submitted. 



WILLIAM SAUNDERS, 



Superintendent of Gardens and Grounds, &c. 

 Hon. Norman J. Colman, 



Commissioner. 



