548 



GARDENING K)i; THE SOUTH. 



ing at the same time, in flower and ripe golden fruit, 

 nothing can surpass an orange grove in attractiveness. 

 The wild, bitter-sweet orange is found in various parts 

 of Florida as far north as 29°; its occurrence is said to be 

 indicative of a good soil. It may have originated from the 

 Seville orange introduced by the Spaniards. The orange 

 is extensively cultivated in Florida, and somewhat on the 

 coast of Georgia and Carolina. 



Fig. 219— Tangerine Orange. (Photo, by 0. P Havens.) 



Lime is essential to the healthy growth of the tree; the 

 best soil is a deep fertile loam on the banks of rivers. 



The wild orange taken from the woods is generally 

 used as a stock to graft the most desirable varieties upon. 



There are about seventy-five varieties of oranges culti- 

 vated, of two principal classes, viz. : The Sweet or China 

 Orange, and the Bitter Seville or Wild Orange. The latter 

 class is much the more hardy, but of no value as a dessert 

 fruit. They are used in cooking, preserving, wine-making, 



