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SEEDLING ORANGES. 



M. E. R., Frederick County, Maryland. I have three orange and one lemon tree in 

 tubs; the plants are about 4 feet high; the lemon tree is the tallest. They have 

 not had any blossom, and I am told that before they will flower they must be cut 

 down and grafted ; but the plants are so tine, and I value them so highly, having 

 raised them from seeds planted by myself, that I will be very sorry to have them cut 

 if it can be helped. Please inform me if it is true that they will not flower unless 

 they are grafted. 



Answer. Undoubtedly they will flower without being grafted. Probably one-half 

 of all the fruit-bearing orange trees on this continent have never been grafted, but 

 they seldom blossom until they are 8 or 10 years old, unless under special treatment. 

 This special treatment consists in what is technically known as "stunting" the 

 plant, or allowing it to become "pot-bound," thus retarding its growth for want of 

 nourishment, which in all cases tends to the formation of blossom buds, and checks 

 the growth of wood. But this must not be carried so far as to interfere with the 

 general health of the plant, because it would then have a tendency to produce dis- 



Orange trees are grafted or budded only when it is desired to extend by propaga- 

 tion any particular variety. 



The orange reproduces itself from seed more closely than most varieties of tree 

 fruits, but no dependence can be placed upon this mode of reproduction for absolute 

 similarity in all of the essential qualities. But budding or grafting has a tendency 

 to hasten the flowering period, and the operation is often performed for this purpose 

 on the orange where it is grown only as an ornamental plant. 



PEEN-TO PEACH. 



B. F. G., Wilmington, Delaware. I have applied to several nurseries for plants of 

 the Peen-to peach, but have not been successful. In reply to my last application I 

 was informed that the variety would not live in Delaware, and also that the fruit 

 was small and not worth having. 



This does not conform with what I have heard about the fruit as grown in the South, 

 where it is claimed to be the earliest and best peach that they can grow. What 

 is the experience or knowledge of the Department on this tree and fruit ? 



Answer. The Peen-to peach will not do well in your climate; the winters are too 

 severe for it. 



As to the fruit, it is, when well grown, not above the medium size, and when fully 

 ripened on the tree is of fairly good quality for so early a fruit, but if gathered before 

 full maturity it has somewhat of a bitter taste. 



In portions of Florida, where the common peach rarely bears fruit, the Peen-to is 

 the earliest and best peach they grow, and it will undoubtedly be the parent of a 

 class of trees particularly suited to that climate. It is stated that already seedlings 

 of the Peen-to have been procured which prove to excel the parent both in size and 

 quality. 



INDIGO. 



H. S. B., Sanford, Florida. I should be much obliged if you could give me any 

 information as to the planting, fertilizing, and preparation of indigo, and also if it 

 would flourish in this soil and climate. 



Answer. The indigo (Tndigofera tinctoria) is a native of Asia, hut has been culti- 

 vated in many parts of the world. Indigo was at one time an article of export from 

 South Carolina and other Southern States, but its production in the States has long 

 ceased to be of commercial importance. 



The plant requires a moderately rich soil, the seeds being sown early in spring, 

 sometimes broadcast, but preferably in shallow drills about 16 inches apart, so that 

 weeds can be removed or kept down by hoeing. The plant will be ready to cut in 



