IMTRODUCTION. 



liECENT (levelopiueiits in the citrus fruit industry have made it neces- 

 sary that some iuformatioii of a reliable nature should be available for 

 distribution amongst inquirers, whose number appear to be constantly 

 increasing'. It is with that object in view that the following notes 

 have been written. They will not dwell upon the history of the orange, 

 its introduction into South Africa and subsequent neglect for a long 

 period, but will deal in a practical manner with those questions which 

 present themselves to all who, with or without a previous knowledge 

 of citrus growing, contemplate embarking upon this undertaking in our 

 country. 



The extent of country embraced in the Union of South Africa is 

 so vast, and the diversity of climatic and other conditions so wide, that 

 it will be somewhat difficult to present any one system which shall 

 be applicable to the needs of every section thereof. 



There are, however, certain fundamental truths upon which the 

 whole superstructure of actual practice is based, and these will lie 

 presented as simply as possible, lea'ving it to the reader to adapt them 

 to tlie conditions under which he may be li-ving. As instance of what 

 is meant by dixersity of conditions, compare the humid atmosphere 

 experienced in all the coastal orange districts with that of the higher 

 plateaus of the Central Cape Province and Transvaal, where the air 

 is remarkable for its lack of moisture. Again, take the question of 

 altitude. We find a large area of coastal-grown fruit produced at little 

 over sea-level, while inland some of the finest groves may be found at 

 4000 feet above. As, of all the members of the citrus family which we 

 produce, the orange is at present the most important, it is proposed to 

 devote more time and space to that fruit than to the other types. 



Soils fok the Oeange. 



There is a fairly wide range of soils quite suitable for citrus culture 

 in South Africa. 



One finds typical orange soil in many portions of the Cape, Traus- 

 \aal, and Natal; such may be described as red soils, deep, and free 

 from objectionable sub-soil features such as impervious clays, iron- 

 stone, etc., varying on the one hand from a texture verging on what 

 may be termed sandy loam to a fairly but not too heavy chocolate loam. 

 Amongst these are the best orange soils we have, and their presence in 

 perfection in ceitaiu localities has had much to do with the reputation 

 which these have achieved as producers of oranges of the very best 

 quality. 



Soils of lighter texture are also well adapted to the growth of this 

 tree; much depends upon the roots used as stocks, to which reference 

 will be made later. There is a general opinion adverse to the use of 

 light soils, but it must be remembered that much can be done t(] 

 ameliorate extreme lightness by constant cover croppingj so it is as 

 well not to omit this class of soil from consideration. 



