904 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



well rooted and of healthy growth, they are budded from the choicest 

 varieties of orange and lemon. Two buds are generally inserted in the 

 stock opposite each other. 



The orchard is thoroughly cultivated, being worked over with the 

 mattock and spade at least five times during the season, commencing 

 in March and ending in October. The ground when the trees are young 

 does not require so thorough a cultivation. 



The plants are irrigated whenever they require it. For this purpose 

 the streams that tumble down from -/Etna are utilized. Where this is 

 impracticable, water is elevated from wells by steam or mule power. 



Some grow vegetables between the trees, but this practice is con- 

 demned by the best horticulturists. 



As to the time when the trees begin to bear a full crop much depends 

 upon the climate, cultivation, and fertility of the soil. Generally they 

 commence to bear a full crop when fifteen years old. 



As to the longevity of the citrus tree, there is here a diversity of 

 opinion. I have been told by some horticulturists that the lemon and 

 orange budded upon a bitter-orange stock will live and continue fruit- 

 ful from one to two centuries. Doubtless they will live and continue 

 to bear from fifty to one hundred years. 



Lemon trees are healthy and vigorous, bear annually on the average 

 about a thousand of the fruit, and oranges about six hundred. There 

 are instances in which trees have borne ten times the number specified. 



GATHERING AND BOXING THE FRUIT. 



The time for gathering the fruit for export is here in the month of 

 November. For export to so distant a country as America, the best 

 and soundest fruit is generally selected. It is plucked when not fully 

 mature, and is yet of a greenish color. 



In gathering the crop great care is taken not to bruise the fruit. It 

 is plucked by hand, and gently deposited in a basket that is lined with 

 cloth. The stem is not removed from the fruit, but is cut off about a 

 quarter of an inch from its base. 



Great care is taken in preparing the fruit for market. Each indi- 

 vidual fruit is carefully cleaned of all insects, or injurious matter, with 

 a sponge and cold water, and is wiped perfectly dry before boxing. The 

 fruits are carefully assorted. Those that are large, plump, and healthy 

 in appearance, without marks or spots upon the surface, are boxed by 

 themselves, and denominated " first class." Those whose skins bear 

 any blemish or otherwise are not fine in appearance are boxed by 

 themselves and denominated " second class." 



The boxes for the fruit are so constructed that they will hold from 

 250 to 360 of the fruit. Each box is inspected to see that no nail or 

 sliver protrudes to injure the fruit. It is then lined with common silk 

 paper. Each individual lemon is enveloped in the same kind of paper 



