CHAPTER V. 



Selection of Site for an Orange Orchard. 



As the selection of a site for a nursery is of the first impor- 

 tance, so it is, but in a greater degree, in the selection of a site 

 for an orchard. A suitable locality is the first requisite, for not 

 all places in semi-tropical California are fully adapted, if 

 adapted at all, to the full development of the trees and fruit. 

 The table or mesa lands near the mountains have been proven 

 to be the best localities for the production of the finest and best- 

 flavored oranges. Though the flavor of the fruit in the valley 

 or near the sea, where dense fogs prevail, may be good, the 

 fruit is generally partially or wholly covered with a thick coat of 

 black fungus mold, rendering it unfit for market and compara- 

 tively unmerchantable. This black mold or rust adheres firmly, 

 not only to the fruit, but the limbs and leaves are disfigured 

 with it. On the high table lands, especially those that are not 

 subject to heavy fogs, trees that have been grown on low lands 

 and that are covered with this mold will soon become clean and 

 bright. These elevated lands are generally free from heavy 

 frosts. The degree of cold is much greater on the low valley 

 lands. The soil should be a deep sandy or gravelly loam, with 

 an admixture of clay and a gravelly sub-stratum, free from hard- 

 pan ; at all events the hard-pan should not be less than six feet 

 from the surface ; but a soil with no hard-pan is preferable. 



A place free from strong winds is best, but some that are sub- 

 ject to them are otherwise exceedingly desirable. Some windy 

 places have been proven to be the best in other respects for 

 orange culture. If orchards be planted in places subject to 

 wind, wind-breaks should be planted at once. 



A plentiful and reliable supply of water must be available, 



