ORAN3ES IN WESTERN ANDALUSIA. 



571 



trees per hectare (1 hectare=2.4711 acres), and allowing only 6 metrrs 

 the number will be 276. The mode of planting usually resorted to is iu 

 parallel lines (here called " iriareo real "), the distance between such 

 lines being equal to the interval between the trees, thus causing each 

 lour trees to occupy the four angles of a perfect square, A, as shown in 

 the diagram. The objection to this mode is, that supposing the roots 

 to extend in circles, it leaves between each such four circles a large 

 space unutilized save by roots of a length greater than the radius of 

 the circle. In order to reduce this loss the " diamond n plan is resorted 

 to (tres bolillo), which the second diagram illustrates. The equilateral 





Tresbolillo. 



triangle B serves as a basis in this plan, and it is evident that the 

 spaces between the circles are considerably reduced, as compared with 

 the arrangement in squares. 



Sites and soils. The orange tree, which in the interior of Andalusia 

 is hardly found beyond latitude 37 30', thrives on the Mediterranean 

 coast of Spain up to 42. This is explained by the well-known modera- 

 ting influence which the vicinity of large bodies of water has upon the 

 climate. It is generally admitted that orange culture can not well be 

 carried on where the mean winter temperature is much below 9 to 10 

 centigrade, or where a fall below 4 centigrade is experienced. The 

 trees are injured by lengthened periods of cold weather, especially when 

 accompanied by frost and snow. These facts would of themselves afford 

 the grower some guidance in the selection of a proper situation. There 



