442 



PRODUCTS OF THE OEANGE FAMILY. 



Algeria. — The orange grows in all parts of this French colony 

 which are not above 2000 feet elevation, especially in sheltered situa- 

 tions, and acquires an excellent flavour and aroma. Besides the 

 orange proper, the citron and lemon, the cedrat and the pumpelmos, 

 are grown. Among the oranges are numerous varieties, among which 

 the best known are the Portugal, Chinese, and mandarin, the bigaradia, 

 or bitter orange, useful for making orange-flower water, essence of 

 bergamot, mellarosa, &c. The fruit of the orange tribe is becoming 

 yearly an article of larger importance. 



In 1865 there were 3095 planters, of whom 728 were European ; 

 there were 130,411 orange trees in bearing, and 72,447 young trees; 

 14,285,580 oranges were exported in the year. The province of Alger 

 contains more orange groves than the other two. Blidah is the 

 centre of production, and the orange groves in its vicinity form an 

 evergreen circle of more than 500 acres. In 1873 there was exported 

 from Morocco 1,577,700 oranges, valued at 9271. 



The Azores.— Previously to the year 1842, from 20,000 to 30,000 

 boxes of oranges were annually exported from Fayal ; but owing to the 

 attacks of the insect Coccus hesperidum, which destroyed the trees, 

 for several years no oranges were produced. The insects have, how- 

 ever, been gradually disappearing, and the exportation of oranges is 

 augmenting. 



The trees are planted at a distance of from 25 to 30 feet apart, and 

 the ground sown with lupins, which are considered by the Portuguese 

 to be a favourite food of the orange trees. Seven years elapse from 

 the time of bearing before the orange trees come into full bearing, 

 during which space of time, more especially among the poorer class of 

 proprietors, the garden is sown with melons, water melons, and other 

 vegetables. The trees are pruned every year, so that by thinning out 

 their superfluous branches a free circulation of air is allowed, which is 

 required for the proper ripening of the fruit. The orange grounds at 

 the Azores vary in size from 1 to 60 acres, and they are rarely occupied 

 only by orange trees. The Portugal and mandarin orange are those 

 principally grown. 



The exports from the Azores between 1851 and 1857 averaged 

 about 130,000 boxes. The following shows the export since then in 

 bushels : 



Bushels. 



1858 495,426 



1860 627,709 



1867 471,301 



1868 727,923 



1869 625,434 



Bushels. 



1870 826,760 



1871 897,773 



1872 817,927 



1873 628,549 



In 1861, 209,263 boxes of oranges, valued at 101,287/., were shipped 

 from St. Michael's, and in 1862, 182,723 boxes, valued at 59,696Z. 

 They pay an export duty in the island of 8^d. per box. The box 

 may be said to hold about 3 bushels. 



In 1869 there were shipped from St. Michael's 238,194 large boxes 

 of oranges. Some shipments are made in what are termed Eussia 

 boxes, three of which are equal to two large or London market boxes. 

 Tliey are also shipped in half or flat boxes, third, and quarter boxes. 



