707 



observed what we feel quite sure is mottle leaf, gummosis, 

 wither tip and brown rot. We also noticed several scales. 

 After looking the field over, we thought the best thing to 

 do would be to proceed to Rio and meet the officials 

 there, see Dr. Willis, and spend two or three weeks in the 

 Library and Botanical Garden; then return to Bahia and sys- 

 tematically study the Bahia Navel Orange proposition. 



Brazil. Rio Janeiro. Mr. A. D. Shamel writes from on 

 board R. M. S. P. "Alcala", November 6, 1913: We have 

 left Rio after a strenuous three weeks and are on our way 

 to Bahia. We had a most interesting and I believe profit- 

 able stay at Rio. It is a most wonderful city. It was a 

 great surprise to me, a pleasant one. The combination of 

 bay, mountains, tropical vegetation and picturesque build- 

 ings is irres istable and most fascinating. 



Through an acquaintance we made on the "Van Dyck" we 

 were given unusual opportunities for studying citrus and 

 other tropical fruits in the vicinity of Rio. He is A. G. 

 Foutes, a native of Brazil. He owns a fine country place 

 and farm about 12 miles from Rio. He introduced us to a 

 neighbor, a multi-millionaire farmer, who has an unri- 

 valed collection of farm plants and animals. On these 

 farms we got next to the real thing. We were given "Carte 

 blanche" to everything on both farms, including fine din- 

 ners. We took full advantage of those conditions. In 

 this district and in Nictheroy (across the bay) we got 

 considerable amount of what I hope will prove valuable 

 material, budwood, illustrations, methods, etc. 



One of the most striking methods that we have found 

 is the practise of orange growers renewing their orchards. 

 They cut back old trees to ,within about a foot of the 

 ground, allow them from one to three sprouts to grow, from 

 which a new top is developed. A few trees in each orchard 

 are treated in this way each year, renewing the grove as a 

 whole gradually. 



No means of combating the numerous insect pests and 

 fungus diseases are practised. In spite of the conditions 

 the trees are fairly productive, bearing from 200 to 500 

 fruits each. Considering the planting, 12 ft. by 12 ft., 

 this means a heavy production per acre. 



Oranges sell for 10 cts. apiece in Rio. Not enough 

 are produced to supply the local demand even at this or 

 higher prices. 



No fertilizer and usually no cultivation is used. 

 Little pruning except to cut off the lower branches so 

 that people can walk under the trees easily. All labor is 

 hand labor. The fruits are pulled from the trees and 

 handled just like we handle potatoes. The loss from decay 



