CULTIVATION OP THE ORANGE TREE IN SPAIN. 



557 



3. The case where the cultivator only utilizes a portion of the vege- 

 table refuse. Knowing the total quantity of leaf and branches obtained 

 Avitli each crop, by difference may be ascertained the quantity of leaf 

 and vegetable refuse that is not returned to the soil, and with this datum 

 may also be calculated the nutritive principles that should be adminis- 

 tered, which will be : 



(1) The fixed principles of the fruit. 



(2) The fixed principles of that part of the leaves and branches that 

 are not utilized as manure. 



(3) The quantity of nitrogen contained in the leaves and branches 

 which is not availed of for manure. 



The study of the orange tree has determined by analysis that its ashes 

 give the following results per cent., viz: 



Composition of the ashes of the fruit. 



Composition of the trunk, branches, and leaves. 



The orange trees analyzed were from Alcira (Valencia) ; some manured 

 with compost and others with mineral manure. The proportional dif- 

 ference noted between the assimilative nutritive principles is not to be 

 wondered at, for, as has been observed, this varies with the same plant 

 according to the nature of the soil and the manure employed. 



