HOCKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



Ill 



as a special manure, carefully pricked in with a fork — - 

 particularly for sickly trees. Other suitable manures 

 are sea weeds, bone manure, and animal refuse, stable 

 dung, and lime. Lupins are grown in the orchards, 

 and turned in as a green manure. The trees are pruned 

 annually, to thin out crowded branches. The superior 

 quality of the fruit arises from the age of the trees ; 

 the fruit gradually improves with the age of the trees. 



In Egypt and other countries, the mandarin oranges, 

 budded upon the Seville stock, form quick-growing 

 and fine trees ; but, when worked on the shaddock, they 

 bear fruit of very superior flavor. 



The Bahama Islands and some districts in Jamaica are 

 celebrated for the delicious sweetness of the oranges 

 thev produce. The islands and districts referred to 

 are formed of calcareous or limestone rocks, and this 

 indicates the necessity for lime in the soil. 



Many young trees, grafted from the choicest orange 

 trees in the countries visited by Mr. Moore, were in- 

 troduced by him on his return to New South Wales, 

 and were entrusted to Mr. Pye, of Rocky Hall, near 

 Parramatta, that they might have the advantage of his 

 skill and experience. Grafts from the most robust of 

 these have been distributed, and the Author secured 

 young trees of the six best sorts. 



Varieties : The sorts which have hitherto proved 

 most hardy in Brisbane district are — the Emperor 

 Mandarin, Canton Mandarin, Sabina, Siletta, Saint 

 MichaeVs, Parramatta, and Poor Man. 



Propagation : It may be propagated from seeds, 

 grafts, budding, or layers. The former method is only 

 resorted to for the purpose of raising stocks upon 

 which to graft approved varieties, or to obtain new 

 sorts. When the latter is intended, the seeds should 

 be taken from fruit gathered from the topmost branches 

 of lofty old trees, heavy and compact, with rich, fine- 

 flavored juice, and thin skin. 



