CULTIVATION OF THE ORANGE TREE IN SPAIN. 533 



Reaumur. In the spots most favored this condition is not met with at a 

 greater altitude than thatof 400 meters. When the average temperature 

 readies from 15 to 16 the apparent vegetation of the orange tree 

 comiMiMuvs, which, as a rule, takes place in the month of March. Tlie 

 blossoming requires a mean temperature of 18 centigrade, Reaumur, 

 the tirst flowers appearing in April and frequently continuing through- 

 out the whole of May. The blossoms are found on the " secondary 

 branches, but principally on the tertian ones, or in general those formed 

 during the previous year; but this rule, which is the most regular, is 

 not the same everywhere. Selling the fruit too late, and the consequent 

 working and manuring of the grounds (by reason thereof) out of the 

 proper time for so doing, besides which, in consequence of the scarce- 

 ness of irrigation in summer for want of water, a great disorder in the 

 natural course of vegetation is occasioned. With reference to the height 

 above sea-level, the majority of the orchards range between 4 and 30 

 meters. The temperature of this province, Valencia, is very mild, and 

 while it seldom reaches as low as zero, many parts are protected from 

 north winds by different mountains. 



The climate of the districts where the orange tree is cultivated in- 

 Valencia is, as aforesaid, benign, as is shown by the fact that the orange, 

 lemon, citron, palm, locust bean, and various other trees, as also shrubs, 

 all of which are delicate, thrive freely in the open air. Further, the 

 jujube, fig, pomegranate, almond, and olive trees, the vine, and the 

 sugar cane, also flourish here luxuriantly. The dwarf fan-palm grows 

 spontaneously. 



The rSsume of the meteorological observations made and published 

 during the year from 1st December, 1881, to the 30th of November, 1882, 

 at the Observatory of Valencia, is as follows (barometer being in milli- 

 meters and at zero, thermometer of Reaumur, centigrade) : 



Meteorological observations. 



Millimeters. 



Average pressure of barometer 762. 97 



Maximum pressure of barometer (January 17) 781. 01 



Minimum pressure of barometer (October 27) 745.94 



Oscillation 35.07 



Degrees. 



Average temperature 16.2 



Maximum temperature in the sun (September 30) 43.0 



nre in the shade (July 10) 3G. 



Mi iii in u in temperature in the air (December 27 and January 6) 1.1 



Minimum temperature in the reflector (December 27 and January 6) 0. 



Average oscillation of temperature 13.3 



imidity 61. 



Maximum of hujnidity (May 17) 94.0 



Minimum of humidity (April 25) 20.0 



Average tension 11.0 



Maximum tension (August 19) , 23.9 



