CONTINENT OF ASIA. 



ASIA MINOR.* 



IIEPORT BY OONSVL EMMJiTT, OF SMYRNA. 



Varieties.— The best oranges are the " Parakila," so called from the vil- 

 lage of Mitylene Parakila, and the " Kaw " trees, so called from their 

 being blood oranges. As for lemons, the "Ohio" are the best; none 

 others are cultivated. 



Situation.— Valley, hillside, or table land ; distance from sea imma- 

 terial ; elevation above sea-level from 35 to 2,700 feet ; exposure to 

 sun immaterial, as the climate is very mild and agreeable here. 



They are grown on all kinds of land, but table land is preferable. The 

 soil is calcareous. 



Climatic influences. — The climate has great influence upon the orange 

 and lemon trees, which do not thrive in the open air below 43° latitude 

 and where the temperature is lower than freezing point. 



The temperature in minimum is 82°, maximum 95°, average 68° Fahr- 

 enheit ; the atmosphere is very heavy, but always variable by winds at 

 night. 

 Bain-fall. — About 25 inches. 



Irrigation. — No system of artificial irrigation is in use here. When 

 the fruit has the size of nuts, water is necessary; and in abundance, 

 every week once at least. 



Cultivation. — The working of the. soil is commenced at the end of 

 March ; they dig the soil with a spade to the depth of two to three 

 inches in the clear spots, and only 1 to IJ inches deep in the vicinity of 

 the trees. 



Fertilizers. — At the end of Ho\'ember human manure is largely em- 

 ployed every two years. These manures are buried in the soil at a 

 depth of from 10 to 12 inches round the trees, and remain buried and 

 exi)osed to the rain until the end of March, when cultivation com- 

 mences. 



Pruning. — They prune once at the end of March with very great at- 

 tention, and they give to the tree a regular, elegant, and graceful 

 form. 



* Tlie information here given was obtained from the consular agent at Mitylene, 

 who JH oxtinsi vely ungaged in the cultivation of olives as well aa lemons and oranges. 



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