

Cultivation of the Orange and Lemon. 109 



of his experience and experiments, in the following 

 paper on the cultivation of the orange, lime, and 

 other varieties of citrus. 



" In the cultivation of the orange, as with other fruit 

 trees, the most important consideration after climate, 

 is that of soil. Jt has of course been amply proved 

 that the orange will grow and even flourish in soils of 

 various quality ; but the best results, both immediate 

 and continued, can only be realized in a soil possessing 

 the necessary ingredients and qualities required for 

 the proper nourishment and development of the tree, 

 and its produce. In India, owing to long continued 

 cultivation, and other causes, such a soil is, I should 

 think, rarely met with, and the intending orange or 

 lemon grower has consequently to consider the 

 deficiencies of the ground he intends to devote to 

 this culture, and to take steps to supply the same, as 

 far as possible, A rich, rather heavy loam, of an 

 open and free texture, is well suited for growing 

 oranges, lemons, &c., and in such a soil the trees 

 would probably give very satisfactory results, without 

 the addition of manure or other fertilizing stimulants, 

 for a number of years. 



" In starting a plantation, I would strongly recom- 

 mend that the ground be trenched to a depth of two 

 and a half or three feet. If the soil is either poor or of 

 too heavy and tenacious a character, the opportunity 

 should be taken of improving it, by the addition 

 of manure and new soil as the trenching proceeds. 



" In the case of a light sandy soil having to be 

 dealt with, a liberal addition of strong clayey soil, or 

 turf, from a river bank, or jheel, * should be given ; 

 also leaves, bazar-sweepings, indigo refuse, horse 

 and cow dung, with a small addition of powdered 

 * Small lake, or big tank. 



