ii2 The Orange j or Health, Pleasure and Profit. 



The orange was highly esteemed by the ancients for its medici- 

 nal qualities — a fact which seems to be lost sight of by the pres- 

 ent generation. In cases ol levers and malarial complaints this 

 delicious fruit is more useful than drugs, and is often very helpful 

 in alleviating the ills of mankind. A prominent physician once 

 remarked that were his patients to eat an orange or two every 

 morning, they would require but little medical attention. 



In France immense quantities of orange blossoms are annually 

 consumed in distilling orange-flower water. One firm alone is 

 reported as using 350 tons of the flowers for this purpose in a 

 single season. Tons also are candied green. Neroli, so much 

 used by perfumers, is extracted from some varieties. Curacoa is 

 manufactured from dried orange peel. The leaves are frequently 

 used as a substitute, for tea, in health as well as in cases of sick- 

 ness. Thus, it will be seen, that the fruit is not the only useful 

 product of this handsome evergreen tree. 



Citrus aurantium is the botanical name of the orange of com- 

 merce, but there are several other species now known, and hun- 

 dreds of varieties are in cultivation. Among these varieties 

 the following may be considered as having been received in Cali- 

 fornia with the greatest favor, among growers for profit. 



Washington Navel. — Originated in Bahia, Brazil. Gener- 

 ally considered the most profitable orange for the market, ripens 

 early, commences to bear at one year from the bud, prolific, the 

 fruit large, solid, heavy, skin smooth, of very fine texture. Fruit 

 very juicy, highly flavored, with melting pulp sweet, seedless. 

 The tree is a rapid grower, but does not attain to a large size. 



Mediterranean Sweet. — One of the very best, introduced 

 from the region of the Mediterranean sea, a regular and heavy 

 bearer, ripens late, and generally very evenly. The tree grows 

 to medium size, and thornless. Fruit medium to large, pulp and 

 skin of very fine texture, solid, few seeded, richly colored deep" 

 orange. One of the most delicious of fruits, and well worth plant- 

 ing on a large scale. 



; Tahiti Seedling. — A large tree and a good bearer, one of 

 the most profitable oranges grown after it comes into full bearing. 

 Will yield twelve to fifteen boxes per tree when from fifteen to 

 twenty-five years old. Fruit can be shipped the first of Febru- 

 ary, but can be left on the trees without injury until the first of 

 June. 



Joppa. — A vigorous, thornless tree, from Palestine. Fruit 

 large, firm, nearly seedless, rind thin, pulp very fine, sweet and 

 juicy, of a deep red color. Can be marketed early or late with- 

 out deterioration in quality. Not generally known. Some call 

 it the Jaffa orange. 



Tangerine or Kid Glove. — A dwarf, symmetrical tree, of a 

 weeping habit. Fruit small, deep red, very sweet and aromatic. 

 The rind, when ripe, ih very easily separated from the pulp, 

 hence is called the "Kid Glove orange." 



