ORANGES AND LEMONS IN AUSTRALASIA. 461 



There is a great deal said about thin-skinned oranges, but in reality 

 the quality of the soil has most to do with the texture of the skin. New 

 land produces coarse fruit, but as the soil becomes somewhat impover- 

 ished by the action of the roots the skin becomes finer. Any grower can 

 produce thin skinned oranges by allowing his land to become exhausted, 

 but he soon finds out that it will not pay to do so. The most experi- 

 enced growers pursue a medium course. Thick-skinned oranges, being 

 more porous, are not suitable for export. 



The Australian navel or Bahia* This is a remarkably fine orange 

 It often measures from 15 to 16 inches in circumference. It is rich, 

 juicy, and delicious; it is seedless, or nearly so, and commands a high, 

 price. The tree is liable to become a shy bearer. It likes a deep, loamy 

 soil, and plenty of water. The best specimens are grown on the Hun- 

 ter, Manning, and Richmond Rivers. Great care, however, is necessary 

 with its culture. In my report on fruit transmitted in June, 1887, I 

 mentioned that this orange was identical with the Washington Navel 

 in California, and that it came originally from Brazil, and was intro- 

 duced into California from Australia. Since the publication of my re- 

 port W. B. M. Lelong, secretary of the State Board of Horticulture, 

 has expressed the opinion that the Australian tree does not resemble 

 the Washington Navel in its habit, and that the resemblance in foliage 

 has led to its mistaken identity. In a work entitled "A Treatise on 

 Citrus Culture in California," published in 1888, Mr. Lelong thus de- 

 scribes the Australian Navel : 



The fruit varies greatly in size, all sizes generally being found on the same tree. 

 A very shy bearer; blooms profusely, but very few of the blooms set ; often the trees 

 are loaded with fruit, and after having attained the size of marbles drop to the ground 

 without an\ apparent cause whatever; it also has a tendency to split at the navel. 

 The navel is usually large and prominent, unlike that of the Washington Navel, 

 which is round and generally small. This variety was first introduced into Califor- 

 nia by the late Lewis Wolfskill. The trees were imported from Australia in 1874. 



It is maintained here that the Australian Naval was introduced into 

 California at a much earlier date than 1874. Both the tree and fruit are 

 easily recognized by Mr. Leloug's description, but the difference in the 

 so-called varieties is not so marked as Mr. Lelong states. The truth is 

 the fruit varies greatly even in the same orange groves. Trees planted 

 at the same time and in the same kind of soil often differ materially. 

 Some of these will be prolific, while others will bear scarcely any fruit. 

 This peculiarity has led many to believe that there are two varieties of 

 the Australian Navel, one a prolific and the other a shy bearer. Closer 

 observations on the part of experts to this delicious fruit would soon en- 

 able them to settle the question. 



According to Mr. H. E. Van Deman, Chief of Division of Pomology, 

 Washington, the trees known as the Washington Navel 



were first imported by Mr. William Saunders, of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, from Bahia, Brazil, in 1670. They were twelve in number, supposed to 



* See report of Consul Burke of Bahia relative to this orange. 



