136 PROCEEDINGS OF TWENTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GEOWERS' CONVENTION. 



many localities, which has a tendency to make the fruit coarse and 

 thick-skinned, as well as much later in maturing than is usual on the 

 higher ground. 



A few words concerning drainage will not be out of place, as drainage 

 is of the utmost importance: It increases the fertility of the soil, and 

 promotes the health and vitality of the tree. In fact, this can not be 

 too strongly impressed upon the minds of those who desire to make a 

 success of orange culture. I have put in a great many drains in the 

 past fifteen years, and it is really remarkable the improvement they have 

 made in the trees. Not only that, but you can work your ground easier 

 and during a longer period, as the soil is usually loose and mellow- It 

 is too commonly regarded as sufficient to sink the drains merely out of 

 the way of the plow, or, at most, out of the reach of the subsoil imple- 

 ments. But there are reasons founded upon ascertained facts why 

 drainage systems should be deeper laid. 



The oranges to be grown in the northern counties may well be headed 

 with the Washington Navel, which may be styled king of all varieties, 

 and on account of its earliness it is certainly the leading variety for us 

 to grow. The Jaffa is an early variety, and is a great favorite with 

 many. Another variety which has taken a leading position among the 

 growers is the Dancy Tangerine and Satsuma or Oonshiu, which are 

 both early and very fruitful. There are many other varieties grown 

 which really ought not to be encouraged as profitable trees in this 

 section, on account of their lateness. 



A few words in regard to pruning, and then I am done. If carefully 

 watched in their growth the trees will require little pruning. Remove 

 all crossed branches, to prevent chafing, which might terminate in the 

 dreaded gum disease. Pruning is certainly overdone in a great many 

 cases, especially by those who go about styling themselves ^'pruners.'^ 

 They care little for the tree or its appearance, but have a great care for 

 the "dollars" in sight. Not one in twenty understands the object and 

 gain of well-considered pruning. Pruning regulates the form of the 

 tree and causes it to become more fruitful, with larger and better fruit. 

 If practiced to too great an extent, the desired result is not obtained, 

 for every tree must have a sufficient amount of foliage to absorb the 

 flow of sap, otherwise it will send forth a great number of suckers, which 

 are certainly injurious to the tree. Blossom buds are produced less 

 abundantly, as the foliage is necessary to promote the health and vigor 

 of the tree. On the other hand, all dead and surplus limbs, which are 

 only harbors for dirt and vermin, should be removed from the center of 

 the tree, to encourage fruitfulness in the center of the tree as much as 

 possible. It should be borne in mind, however, that the citrus family 

 has always a luxuriant and heavy growth of foliage. 



