ECONOMIC PLANTS 



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selves are quite ornamental, and they also afford abun- 

 dant shade, being often grown for these purposes alone. 

 The Orange. - - The orange can be grown in Cali- 

 fornia with greater profit than any of the other citrous 



FIG. 131. Orange Grove. 



fruits. Though its production is chiefly confined to 

 the southern part of the state and the Sacramento 

 Valley, yet there are doubtless small regions elsewhere 

 in the state well adapted to the growth of this fruit. 



The chief determining factors are soil, elevation, and 

 exposure. The orange prefers a deep, rich, mellow soil, 

 though it will thrive in nearly every kind of fertile soil. 

 The orchard should be protected from winds by a grove of 

 trees where the relief of the land does not afford natural 

 protection. Though irrigation is not always necessary, 

 the trees must be supplied with plenty of water. 



Pruning should be done at some time during the sea- 

 son while the tree is dormant. Only those branches 



