CHAPTER XXIV. 



Best Varieties to Plant. 



From the large list of varieties named in the preceding chap- 

 ter I would select but three or four to plant in orchard. The 

 principal object should be to select varieties that will produce a 

 first-class fruit. 



These are the most essential points in an orange : Medium 

 size, or above medium; symmetrical and regular shape; deep 

 and golden color; fine flavor; fine grained and juicy; few seeds, 

 the fewer the better ; and good keeping and shipping qualities. 

 It should also be of a variety that commences to bear early, 

 that will produce large crops regularly, and that covers the 

 greatest length of time possible in ripening. The habit of 

 growth of the tree must not be overlooked. The tree should be 

 a vigorous grower, and, if possible, it should combine with the 

 above requirements an absence of thorns. An orchard of trees 

 possessing all of the above qualities will be almost perfection, 

 so far as regards variety. The selection from the list named 

 will be on a basis for an orchard of eleven hundred trees a 

 little more than ten acres, at twenty feet apart. There are many 

 varieties that have not yet fruited here ; of these I would plant 

 only single specimens, or, perhaps, let the nurserymen develop 

 this branch of the business. 



I would plant four hundred Mediterranean Sweet, four hun- 

 dred Washington or Riverside Navel, one hundred and fifty 

 Malta Blood, and one hundred and fifty. Thin-skinned or Paper- 

 rind St. Michael. 



It is possible that the Small Tangerine should have a place 

 in the above list ; but its size is objectionable, and as its keep- 

 ing and shipping qualities are yet unknown, I cannot recom- 

 mend it to growers. 



