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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ORANGE CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 

 By H. SoMEBfl Rivers, F.R.H.S. 

 " Kemist du das Land wo die Citronen bliihn ? " 



Eveey Englishman does, even he who has never left his native shore. 

 He is not always conscious of this, as Orange culture is neglected in this 

 country, perhaps because the imported fruits are so plentiful and so 

 cheap. Those which come here in cases from abroad, however, are not 

 to be compared with the home-grown fruit. Anyone whose acquaintance is 

 only with the former does not know what an Orange is. To use Dr. 

 Bonavia's simile, the difference is as great as that between the night and 

 day. 



The many varieties are most interesting, their flavours distinct and 

 attractive ; it is something to be able to pick fruit from the trees for 

 dessert during the Christmas festivities, and a dish of fresh Oranges, 

 picked each with a short stalk and a leaf or two attached, is an earnest 

 of a more genial climate to come, even at this dead season. 



Than the orangery itself, what can be brighter and pleasanter as a 

 winter garden ? Not the dreary orangery of former days, pretentious in 

 architecture and yet not beautiful, wanting in light and air, more like a 

 mausoleum than a home for the trees condemned to a miserable existence 

 within it, the modern orangery is a span-roofed orchard-house, entrapping 

 and enhancing whatever sunlight is vouchsafed to us during the winter 

 months. 



To give the greatest return, trees should be planted along either side, 

 six feet apart, and trees in pots arranged in the body of the house. These 

 pot trees may be stood four feet apart, angled thus . * . • . if there is 

 room for more than one row, but not so close to the planted trees as to be 

 shaded by them. The shoots of the latter are tied out to wires, arranged 

 as in a house for trained Peach-trees, namely about a foot apart and nine 

 inches from the glass. The roof should be wired only halfway up to the 

 ridge, and the trees not allowed to extend much beyond, or the thick 

 evergreen leaves will shut out too much light. Studded with golden 

 fruit against this dark leafy background, the house seems filled with 

 sunshine even on the most dreary December day. 



In order that the trees may attain their maximum of juice and sweet- 

 ness, the temperature. must not range below 50° in the winter ; it may be 

 allowed to go up to 65° in the daytime, higher with sun heat ; ventilation 

 being given very carefully in stormy weather with cold winds. 



After the fruit is gathered, a temperature of about 45°-50° is suffi- 

 cient for a time. Then, when the trees start growing, about the middle or 

 end of February, 60° at night, 75° in the day, or higher with the sun's 

 help, is necessary, and the house should be closed early, at about 2 o'clock 

 in the afternoon. 



"While the trees are in flower they must not be syringed ; plenty of 



