ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 145 



they were not protected from the northeast winds they have 

 been destroyed by frost. 



The nurseries of both orange and lemon trees have been se- 

 verely treated in many places, most of the young shoots having 

 been completely killed, excepting, however, such as were pro- 

 tected by close line fences. The loss occasioned to nurseries 

 and young plants will probably amount to many thousands of 

 dollars ; but I would repeat that the bearing orange trees have 

 not been injured by the frost. 



The temperature during the frosty weather did not fall below 

 twenty-nine degrees Fahrenheit in this city, although on the 

 plain out of town it was probably a little lower. Most of the 

 citrus family are planted on high ground, and are all in localities 

 where there is water with which to irrigate at any time of the 

 year, if necessary. 



The oldest orange trees in this county average from twenty 

 to twenty-five years of age, except those of the Mission San 

 Gabriel, which are supposed to be fifty years old. Few trees 

 bear before the age of ten. 



L. J. Rose, Sunny Slope, San Gabriel Valley: 

 First I paid no attention to the thermometer. We have had 

 more continued cold weather than I have known before for 

 twenty years, though we have had a few days as cold at two dif- 

 ferent times. Ice formed here several nights from one-sixteenth 

 to one-eighth of an inch thick. 



Second There has been no apparent injury to either orange, 

 lemon or lime, as a general thing, in San Gabriel Valley. Young 

 limes and lemons had the ends of last year's growth frozen back 

 and killed at some few places, but no tree was injured more 

 than temporarily. All the citrus family have been much injured 

 in some portions of the county and killed in some cases. 



Third Orchards are generally planted on high ground; 

 those on low lands have suffered severely. 



Fourth The trees have been planted, generally, without any 

 protection, but there has never been any serious injury from 

 cold. A plantation protected by others, or even by large orange 

 trees, is less liable to frost than one open and exposed. The 

 orange can and does stand much cold more than the lemon 

 or lime. 



