508 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES 



is not high, and where they are protected from cold winds. Distance 

 from sea, 30 meters (97^ feet) ; elevation above sea-level, from 25 to 3,000 

 feet; southern exposure to sun, level land; clayish and damp soil is 

 best. 



Climatic influences Minimum 0, maximum 18 centigrade. The 

 nights are warm, days variable. 



Kain-fall from December to February is very beneficial to all fruits, 

 making them grow better, and improving also the growth of the tree 

 The rain-fall in inches can not be ascertained, as there is no record kept 

 by any person as far as I can ascertain. Ab some of the observatories 

 records are perhaps kept but it is difficult to obtain information from 

 them. 



Irrigation. Irrigating is practiced from May to September, and until 

 the soil is soaked through ; in summer every week. 



Cultivation. By stirring the ground every two years and frequently 

 during the season. Fertilizers are not used. 



Pruning. In the month of April, about three feet from the ground, 

 in the usual manner. 



Picking. As soon as they become yellow the oranges and lemons are 

 picked, wrapped in thin paper, put in boxes, and shipped. 



Planting and propagating. The trees are planted 15 feet apart, and 

 propagated by graftings and planting the seeds. 



The best varieties are from seedlings wild oranges grafted into sweet 

 oranges and lemons. Most of the orchards are large. 



Maturity. At the age of four years they begin to bear. The largest 

 crops are obtained when the tree is twenty years old. They mature at 

 from fifty to one hundred years. 



Insect pests. The louse ; no remedy has been found or discovered to 

 destroy it. There are no beneficial insects. 



EDWARD OAMPHAUSEN, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



j January 31, 1890. 



PALERMO, 

 REPORT BY CONSUL CARROLL, 



'Varieties. The following are the best varieties cultivated in Sicily, 

 viz: Citrus bigaradia macrocarpa, Kiss ; Citrus bigaradia coro?mta, Kiss ; 

 Citrus bigaradia glaberrima, Kiss ; Citrus medica glabra, kiss j Citrus 

 medicaflorentina,lliss', Citrus bergamia (variety Vulgaris), Eiss ; Citrus 

 bergamia (variety Mellarosa), Kiss; Citrus aurantium piriforme, Kiss 

 Citrus aurantium precox, Kiss ; Citrus deliciosa, Ten. ; Citrus limonum 

 fusiforme. Kiss ; Citrus limonum oblongum. Kiss ; Citrus limonum cala- 

 bricum, Kiss. 



