524 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



become diseased; a gnmmy substance exudes from tbem ; a disease 

 cankerous in nature attacks the wood and they soon die. The bitter 

 orange tree will, without doubt, continue to bear fruit for two centuries. 

 The budding process is generally in practice. Grafting is but little 

 resorted to. 



The process of starting an orange or lemon orchard is as follows: 



(1) The seed of the bitter orange is planted. When the young plants 

 are a year old they are transplanted. When they have grown to be 

 about one inch in diameter (three or four years old) they are again trans- 

 planted and set in the place in the orchard where they are to remain. The 

 top of the young trees are then cut off about 4 feet above the ground. 

 When they become well rooted and growing, the best varieties of the 

 orange and lemon are budded upon the stalk. Two buds are gener- 

 ally inserted, and upon opposite sides of the plant. From these buds 

 branches shoot out, and when a quarter of an inch in thickness become 

 of a reddish color. 



The trees of the orange and lemon are subject to various diseases. A 

 parasitic growth of fungus nature frequently appears upon the bark of 

 the trees. The lemon tree is more subject to this than the orange. 

 This growth after a rain (or being soaked with water) is removed by 

 scraping. An insect of a dark brown color called the orange louse is 

 very injurious to both the orange and lemon by infesting the bark, 

 leaves, and fruit. A similar insect of a whitish color, known as the 

 lemon louse, attacks the leaves and fruit of the lemon, but not the 

 orange. The fruit of both the orange and lemon are sometimes injured 

 by an insect called the fly. This insect makes its appearance in the 

 beginning of summer, and commences its devastation by stinging the 

 fruit and depositing therein its eggs. These eggs develop into grubs, 

 which destroy the fruit. Plenty of sunlight and good ventilation are 

 requisite for all these diseases. Tar-water, and water slightly tinct- 

 ured with kerosene are used as a wash for the leaves and fruit, being 

 applied with a sponge. Soda-ash is also used. When the fly first ap- 

 pears the fruit must be frequently washed. 



These remedies are only of temporary benefit. No remedy has yet 

 been discovered for the permanent destruction of these enemies of the 

 orange and lemon, especially the louse. 



The distance between the trees to be maintained in planting in the 

 orchard depends much upon the situation of the ground, the quality of 

 the soil and the climate. The distance varies from 4 to 6 meters (13 to 

 19J feet). 



When the soil is loose, rich, and easily cultivated the lemon trees should 

 be planted at least 6 meters (1!)J feet) apart, because, under these circum- 

 stances, the trees grow luxuriantly and become large. When the situ- 

 ation of the ground is such that ventilation will not be good the trees 

 should be 6 meters (19^ feet) apart. Where the soil is poor and the 

 climate cold, so that the trees cuu not grow large, thoy may be planted 



