ORANGE CULTURE. 



THE successful growing of oranges on a large scale in 

 -many parts of New Zealand is a problem yet to be solved. 

 There is one point, however, which admits of no difference 

 of opinion ; and that is, that oranges will only thrive on 

 certain classes of soil, the most suitable of all being the deep 

 volcanic land with a dry subsoil. This latter feature is 

 indispensable. A light sandy loam will also answer. The 

 least suitable soils are the heavy clays. That oranges will 

 thrive in New Zealand when planted in suitable localities 

 and well sheltered is proved by the results achieved in some 

 parts of the North Island. For instance, there is a tree at 

 the Bay of Islands Road, Whangarei, which yields from one 

 hundred and fifty to two hundred dozen of fruit annually ; 

 .and at Waimate and Wanganui as much as seven pounds 

 worth of fruit is frequently gathered from trees twenty years 

 ,old. 



Propagation. Grafting and budding are the usual 

 methods adopted; although many experienced orange growers 

 in Australia prefer raising their trees from the pip, asserting 

 that they are less liable to the attacks of blight, although 

 they take much longer in coming to maturity. A grafted 

 tree will be in good bearing in about ten years, continuing 

 to increase each year. The method of grafting is that 

 known as cleft grafting. This operation should be performed 

 in September. Orange pips should be sown in July. 



Planting. About 70 trees per acre is the best number 

 to plant ; and it is estimated that one man can attend to ten 

 Acres, or, if on hilly land, five acres. Trees ten years old at 



