56 



ORA^sGE CULTUEE. 



budding would be just as desirable, for the same reasons, as it 

 TV as at first. 



Consequently, wh^jle we acknowledge the sweet seedling to 

 be good stock, we cannot admit that it would not require re- 

 budding, the same as any other, in the event of its being killed 

 to the ground. 



In consequence, the sweet seedling is preferred to any other 

 stock, it having been shown by various experiments tbat it is the 

 safest for the orange and lemon buds. Its roots are large, strong 

 and healthy, and intended by nature to minister to the needs 

 of a large, majestic tree. 



It is rarely afi'ected by the gum or any other root disease, 

 and both orange and lemon buds have a close and strong affinity 

 for this stock. The lemon also does well as stock for the orange, 

 although some claim that here, as well as with the lime and 

 citron, the stock exercises an influence upon the fruit, and it is 

 apt to be coarse, flavored with a pungent acid flavor. These 

 same growers admit, however, that the sweet orange, raised on 

 lime, citron and lemon stock, is of larger size and in greater 

 quantity than that raised from the orange stock. 



Of all the stocks named, the citron enjoys the least favor, 

 and we think, deservedly so. 



The lemon seedling is a good thrifty grower, but will not 

 thrive in so great a diversity of soil and situation as the others. 

 The lime makes a strong, rapid stock, and will flourish with less 

 care and in poorer soil than any of the others. Owing to its 

 rather dwarfish habit, it would be better to bud it with one of the 

 half dwarf varieties of the orange — such as the St. Michael or 

 Mandarin — thus avoiding the danger of the top out-growing the 

 trunk. 



The size and quantity of fruit borne on lime and lemon 

 stock is largely increased over the original, but it is claimed by 

 some that the quality is rather deteriorated. 



As, however, it has been proven by our most eminent bota- 

 nists, that the stock does not in any way influence the character 

 of the fruit borne by the scion, except in so far as a thrifty stock 

 makes a thrifty tree, and vice versa, we cannot but believe the 



