ORANGES AND LEMONS IN THE AZORES. 529 



however, is considered dangerous, as the injury may be already done 

 before the signal is given or observed, and the plant once attacked by 

 frost is beyond remedy. More careful gardeners U83 the thermometer, 

 and begin heating when it marks 6° or 1° Pahr. above freezing point, 

 particularly if the weather is clear and dry. 



With all these risks and precautions the cultivation can not but be 

 regarded as exotic and artificial, and the fruit, though large and hand- 

 some, is watery in quality, with much of its substance taken up by the 

 disproportionate thickness of the rind ; nor has it the concentrated 

 acid of the lemon produced in more congenial climates. The yield, also, 

 is very precarious, and always liable to be prostrated by any extra- 

 ordinary severity of the season. It is estimated for the average year 

 at 500,000 lemons of various sizes, with an average value of 15,000 

 francs ($3,000). 



. Mo Waller B. Notes, 

 Consul. 



United States Consulate, 



Venice, March 3, 1884. 



PORTUGAL. 



THE AZORES. 



REPORT BY CONSULAR AGENT MOREIRA, OF ST. MICHAEL'S. 



Varieties. — The name of best variety for profit is the common orange 

 [Citrus aurantiwm), or China orange, which is the orange exported. 



Names of other choice varieties worthy of culture are: the "selecta" 

 (selected) without pips, which never attains a deep color and does not 

 ripen well till March or April; the tangerine, a variety of mandarin, a 

 delicious small orange, but not cultivated to any great extent; a few 

 boxes are shipped, but of the "selecta" hardly a package is exported. 



Situation. — The trees that produce the varieties above-named are 

 grown in almost all situations of the island; distance from sea, from 

 one-half up to three miles ; elevation above sea-level, from 80 to 400 feet; 

 for exposure to sun eastern aspect desirable; they grow in all lands, 

 but level laud is preferable. 



Soil. — Light soil and also argillaceous mixed with pumice-stone. 



Climate. — Generally moist. 



Temperature.— Winter months, minimum, 48°, maximum, 75° ; aver- 

 age, 61°. Summer, minimum, 50°, maximum, 82^°; avera<.e, 60^°. 

 Nights generally cold in winter but very warm in summer ; few sul- 

 try days ; atmosphere moist. 



Eain-fall averages 40 inches per annum on the lower grounds, but on 

 the higher lands probably 60 inches. Our soil is porous, the rain soon 

 sinks into the ground, and the soil soon dries up, therefore genial 



