110 



HOOKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



the bark of the root indicates that no soil is fit for its 

 growth which will retain water, bnt should he free and 

 open at all seasons, allowing the rain to percolate 

 freely through and away from the roots almost as fast 

 as it falls. 



In the year 1868, Mr. C. Moore, the curator of the 

 Botanic Gardens in Sydney, was sent by the Govern- 

 ment of New South Wales to visit the orange countries 

 in the old world, to inspect and report upon orange culti- 

 vation generally, but with special regard to the diseases 

 of the tree and their cure. Much valuable information 

 was collected at that time, and we will endeavor to 

 summarise from that and other trustworthy sources, a 

 few hints as to the nature and requirements of the tree, 

 which the orange-grower will do well to note. 



In the Azores, some of the best trees are produced 

 from seed selected from trees which are robust and 

 prolific, and bear fruit of choice quality; but they are 

 longer coming into bearing than grafted trees. The 

 trees worked upon citrons and lemons were the first to 

 be attacked with a destructive disease called "tears, 77 

 or the exuding of sap near the bottom of the stem. 

 The seedlings also suffered ; but those worked upon 

 Seville orange stocks were least affected. The cure was 

 to strip and expose the surface roots for a short time, 

 to cut out the bark, wood, and roots effected, and to 

 drain the land. The sooty fungus was cured by wash- 

 ing with lime water. 



The soil in the Azores is of volcanic origin, being 

 a good, friable loam, plentifully intermixed with stones 

 and rocks. The most favorable position for an orangery 

 is the side of a hill, and the aspect facing the rising 

 sun. 



Analysis of the ash of the orange tree and fruit 

 gives a very large proportion of potash and phosphate 

 of lime. Fresh wood ashes, especially of mangroves 

 and other trees known to yield much potash, should, 

 therefore, be mixed with bone-dust and applied to them 



