26 [ CITRUS FRUITS 



DISTANCE. Citrus trees are ordinarily planted about 

 4 metres apart, the Seville Orange requiring more space, 

 and the sweet lime, the shaddock, the pomelo or grape- 

 fruit and the seedless or navel oranges perhaps less 

 space. Where the soil is rather poor or the place is 

 exposed to winds and the trees are not expected to attain 

 full size, it is advisable to plant closer, viz : 3 to 3^ 

 metres. On good soils and very favourable situations 

 with satisfactory arrangements for irrigation the distance 

 should not be less than 5 metres. 



SHELTER. All Citrus trees require shelter from the 

 cutting north and west winds. All our orange groves 

 are surrounded by high stone walls, not only to protect 

 them from marauders, but also as shelter against the 

 cold winds. The lemon, the lime and the citron thrive 

 better along a shady wall looking north or north-west, 

 and are rather less liable to injury from these winds. All 

 varieties of the edible orange, particularly the more 

 delicate sorts, such as the* egg-oranges, become stunted 

 and unproductive in similar situations. The protection 

 of tall evergreen trees will be found useful, provided 

 that their root system be not allowed to interfere with the 

 normal development of the more delicate root system of 

 Citrus trees. The terraced hillsides looking east or south, 

 with rich red soils, are particularly suitable for the 

 cultivation of the orange-tribe ; but a site exposed to 

 the north or west, must be protected by a stone wall 

 or other wind-screens, about 4 metres high, in parallel 

 lines from 20 to 30 metres apart. 



IRRIGATION. Except in very favourable situations, 

 with abundance of moisture in the subsoil, Citrus trees 

 require to be regularly watered during the dry season. 

 Circular troughs are constructed, not less than locm. 

 below the level of the ground, and extending from the 

 trunk to nearly as far as the boundary of the crown or 

 head, and water is led to these troughs by means of 

 permanent stone conduits, or along furrows made in the 



