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dian Biver" oranges the task of separating them would be difficult if 

 not impracticable. 



The comparative freedom from rust on the fruit produced in groves 

 where the trees are afforded protection is worthy of special notice. It 

 is attributed to the ravages of a minute insect* but I find that many 

 persons are undecided as to whether the insect is the cause or only a 

 consequence of a diseased condition which has been produced by other 

 influences. 



If we now direct our attention to thousands of acres of young orange 

 groves which may be found throughout the State planted in sandy soils 

 on high pine lands, and contrast their condition and appearance with 

 those which have been described, the difference will be found as strik- 

 ing as it is apparent, even to the casual observer. 



In the preparation for planting an orange grove on pine lands the 

 first process is that of removing all the forest trees, taking them up by 

 the roots, and clearing up the laud so that it can be broken up with the 

 plow. After thorough preparation by plow and harrow the soil is ready 

 for the orange trees, which are carefully set out. Without shade, shel- 

 ter, or any kind of protection from the scorching sun and arid breezes, 

 the young trees are subjected to great vicissitudes. When rains are fre- 

 quent vegetation proceeds rapidly j a week or two of dry weather inter 

 venes, and active growth receives a check for a time $ the foliage of the 

 young tree loses its vivid color, and this is considered as indicating the 

 need of a manurial dressing. Fertilizers of some kind are applied, rains 

 follow, and growth again proceeds satisfactorily so long as sufficient 

 moisture is present in the light sandy soil. 



This somewhat erratic condition prevails in a more or less decided 

 manner during the active growing period of the year, and may extend 

 into the early winter with but a slight lowering on the general summer 

 temperature, until a sudden depression is experienced, and the ther- 

 mometer indicates that the freezing point is reached. The temperature 

 again rapidly rises, and the scorching rays of the sun, pouring through 

 a cloudless sky, produce disastrous effects upon the frost-bitten tender 

 shoots and leaves. 



When young trees have been subjected to such casualties it is a diffi- 

 cult matter to prognosticate the extent of the injuries they have re- 

 ceived ; much depends upon the individual plant j but in a general way 

 those which have shown the greatest luxuriance will suffer most. Of 

 course injuries from frost depend upon its severity. Six to eight de- 

 grees of frost may prove fatal, even although the plants may linger 

 between life and death for a year or two. If the sap of the plant be- 

 contaminated from that of the frozen shoots or branches, an early death 

 is quite certain. 



A simple precaution, and one that may be looked on as an effectual 

 preventive from further injury to the frost-bitten plant is to remove the 

 injured twigs as promptly as practicable. The longer this is delayed 



