The Orange. 103 



136. Propagation. The orange may be propagated from 

 seeds, cuttings or layers, but seeds are chiefly used. In 

 California the seeds are largely saved from commercial 

 Tahiti oranges; in Florida, any oranges not too valuable 

 are used. The seed should not become dry before planting, 

 though that of Citrus trifoliata will endure slight drying. It 

 should be planted about an inch deep in light, rich soil, and 

 should be mulched or frequently watered in dry weather. 

 The seedlings appear in from 2 to 6 weeks. They should 

 be shaded somewhat to protect them from heat, and should 

 be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture to prevent dampimg off. 

 In Florida the seedlings may be planted in nursery rows 

 during the summer rainy season, but less loss occurs when 

 one-year-old plants are transplanted in midwinter. The 

 seedlings should be watered when transplanted, and after- 

 ward if needed. 



la California young trees in the nursery are often pro- 

 tected from frost by being covered with a framework over- 

 laid with cypress brush. 



Stocks. Citrus trifoliata is chiefly used for stocks where 

 the orange tree frequently sufiers from cold; in other sec- 

 tions the sour or bitter orange {Citrus aurantiuin, var. 

 amara)^ or the "rough lemon," supposed to be of hybrid 

 origin, is chiefly used. Seedlings of the sweet orange are 

 subject to a disease known as " foot rot." 



Budding. In California, seedlings are budded either in 

 spring or autumn, after they have grown a year in the 

 nursery. In Florida they are more often allowed to grow 

 3 or 4 years in the nursery before budding, and are mostly 

 budded just before growth ceases in fall. In cutting back 

 the stock after budding, a stub is commonly left for a time, 

 above the inserted bud, to which the shoot from the latter 

 is tied. Grafting other than budding is seldom practiced. 



