ORANGES AND LEMONS IN ECUADOR. 415 



The soil is h-ss varied than the climate in characteristics, though 

 possessing several elements. The lowlands are either loam unmixed, 

 sandy loam, or clay loam. The surface of the uplands, with scarcely 

 an exception, is of volcanic origin lava, scoria, porphyry, etc. As in 

 some other part of South America, notably Venezuela, the exposed 

 rocks are undergoing a constant decomposition, producing a soil every- 

 where in some degree fertile. In Ecuador even the lava has been so 

 disintegrated as to form a soil. Those giving attention to botany un- 

 derstand that each of the vegetable species needs specific elements to 

 promote germination and conduce to development. Some require ele- 

 ments other than a favorable soil or temperature. A portion of the 

 vegetable kingdom matures only after passing through the extremes 

 of heat and cold, and which would not survive under a continuous sum- 

 mer temperature. The cocoanut tree, as an illustration of the special 

 requirements of many species of plants, may have a soil and tempera- 

 ture that are favorable, yet it must " breathe r the salt atmosphere in 

 order to exist and thrive. 



Ecuador, though having the wide range of temperature before men- 

 tioned, does not have radical changes, and therefore does not sustain 

 all of the vegetation that would appear to have a place somewhere in 

 the wide range of temperature noted. Yet there are few countries, if 

 any, that can sustain a more diversified vegetation than Ecuador. In 

 fruits it produces all that belong to the tropics, usually in great profu- 

 sion and perfection ; and many varieties not considered tropical, as 

 apples, pears, peaches, and strawberries. In no respect have the 

 productive resources of the country been fully developed, and the prac- 

 tices afford a poor instruction for others to follow. A description of the 

 crudities of the practice, and possibilities of the country, may prove of 

 interest in portraying inutilized opportunities, and how not to do it. 



ORANGES. 



There are three varieties of oranges grown in Ecuador, viz, thick skin 

 and thin skin, sweet, and sour. The thin-skin variety is in most de- 

 mand for domestic use. None are exported further than Peru and Chili. 

 The trees come into bearing at from three to four years of age, and con- 

 tinue to bear until about twenty years old. 



The trees are all seedlings ; that is, they coineup and grow naturally. 



The fruit while ripening is occasionally afflicted with insects, evidently 

 after the sweet juice. 



Asa rule the trees are not planted, but grow where they by chance 

 come up. If set out in orchards the trees should be placed at least 40 

 feet apart, as the fruit requires much air and sunlight to mature well. 



The fruit does not produce well immediately on, the sea-coast, but 5 

 miles or more in the interior it does well on any kind of soil, though best 

 on a deep, rich loam. 



