582 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



MALAGA. 



REPORT BY CONSUL MARSTON. 



Varieties. The names of best varieties for profit are " China" oranges 

 and the " Castillian " lemons. There is another kind of lemon called the 

 "Reales," which is large and long, but the Castillians are more pro- 

 ductive. 



Location. The trees that produce the varieties named above are 

 grown in all parts of the province of Malaga where there is water, and 

 generally by the side of small rivers and streams. 



The distance from the sea is about 2 kilometers, and the elevation 

 above sea-level 100 feet. Any elevation with water and sun will answer. 

 The more sun the better. Level land; sandy subsoil is the best. 



Climatic. Temperature 45 to 90 Fahrenheit ; average, about 78. 

 Nights immaterial ; for both oranges and lemons moist days, or ordi- 

 nary atmosphere, are most beneficial. 



No record of rain-fall is kept in Malaga. Rain-fall is always good for 

 both trees and fruit. 



Irrigation. In summer only, three times a week, at any stage of 

 growth and as much as possible ; never water for ten or fifteen days 

 before picking fruit. 



Cultivation. Twice a year by plowing or digging around the roots. 



Fertilizers. Stable manure, placed around the trees to the depth of 

 18 inches or 2 feet, in the month of January. 



Pruning. After four years old begin to prune; height immaterial; 

 if plowed with horses or oxen, then prune off lower branches ; if you 

 dig around the roots by hand with spade it is immaterial. 



Picking. Picked when nearly ripe, for exportation ; while they are 

 green and before they turn yellow ; nothing done to cure them here. 



Packing and shipping. Packed in tissue-paper first and placed in 

 cases one-eighth, one-fourth, and one-third, and sometimes one-half 

 chests for shipment. 



Planting and Propagating. The distance the trees are planted apart 

 is 12 yards; they are propagated from seed of bitter oranges, and 

 grafted. The best varieties are seedling. \ 



The orchards are large and small. 



Maturity. Begin fruiting at four years of age ; largest crop at about 

 fifteen years ; twenty -five years full maturity. 



Insect pests. Both lemon and orange trees, in certain locations, have 

 been attacked by some kind of insect, but growers here are ignorant as 

 to its name or nature. 



There are parasites, but their names are not known ; they injure the 

 fruit by eating the buds. 



Pacldng and curing. Never pick either oranges or lemons while wet 



