52 



quality of the fruit. Soils which contain these elements, 

 naturally, are to be preferred when locating your grove. 

 The trees will grow more uniform and thrifty, bear better 

 and more fruit, and attain a greater longevity. 



The subject of thorough fertilization and cultivation 

 occupies much space in this little volume, the importance 

 of which will be apparent to those who give it the most 

 heed; and success in orange culture will !>e proportionate 

 with those who make of it the most intelligent and prac- 

 tical application. 



ORIGIN OF VARIETIES. 



Very little has been said in this work respecting the 

 origin of some of our best fruit. In a practical point of 

 view, perhaps it is not necessary ; the main object of the 

 grower being to obtain the best varieties, no matter what 

 or whence their origin. But there are those who may take 

 some interest in the matter, and consequently, we will grat- 

 ify them to the extent of our knowledge. Many people, 

 we may say most, have an idea that because Florida pro- 

 duces the most superior oranges in the world, that of neces- 

 sity, they must have originated here, but such is not a 

 fact. The best varieties we have, had their origin else- 

 where. Magnum Bonum and Homosassa come from South 

 or Central America. Blood orange is native of Malta, 

 Navel is a native of Brazil. Sugar-Sweet, Sweet Saville, 

 Moore's Thoruless and Seedless are of Spanish origin. St. 

 Michaels is native of the Azores, Mandarin, Tangerine 

 and their cougeueres, we believe to be natives of Japan, 

 and belong to the species Citrus Aurantium Japonicum. 



A friend of the writer, Mr. Harry Comstock, of New 

 York, a man of close observation and unquestioned integ- 

 rity, who spent several years in China and Japan, informed 



