ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 12$ 



learn. On low, poorly-drained lands, and where they are planted 

 in retentive soil, both have been affected, the tender shoots being 

 nipped and some of the leaves frosted. In Ross Valley, on 

 clayey soil, somewhat elevated but close to the Tamalpais range 

 of mountains, the trees were more affected, but in no instance 

 has the trunk been seriously injured. This reference is made to 

 trees four years or more of age. At Corte Madera, two miles 

 distant from Ross Landing, on elevated land well protected on 

 the north, trees have shown no signs whatever of frost. In San 

 Rafael, young orange trees (Florida seedlings), from six to eight 

 inches high, in boxes placed on ground lower than that occupied 

 by trees six years old which were frosted slightly, were uninjured. 

 This may be attributed in part to the fact that these seedlings are 

 from the seed of the sour orange of Florida, which is considered 

 more hardy than others ; but I think the light character of the 

 soil in the seed-box, with good drainage, is entitled to consider- 

 able credit. 



With care in the selection of proper soil, which should be 

 naturally light or made light, and a location protected as much 

 as possible from north winds, there is nothing in the way of 

 successfully growing both the lemon and the orange inside of 

 the Tamalpais range. Lemons and oranges of excellent quality 

 have already been produced in San Rafael, and that, too, by 

 persons professing to have little knowledge, if any, of the nature 

 of the trees or the requisites of their culture. 



Fourth The severe weather of late has certainly had the 

 effect of deterring some of the timid ones from planting these 

 trees this season, but there is no doubt that a year hence, with 

 the experience so valuable as this will prove, an unusual de- 

 mand will be made upon our nurserymen, and it may be that 

 difficulty will be experienced in filling orders. 



Solano County W. J. Pleasants, Pleasant Valley: 



First Eighteen degrees was the lowest, though several times 

 as low as twenty degrees. This was, of course, on the lower land. 



Second The trees were planted last spring, on low land, 

 where the thermometer read eighteen degrees. The leaves and 

 small limbs on these trees are all killed. I have, on bench land 

 seventy-five feet higher than that on which the young trees are, 



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