THE CULTIVATION OF ORANGES. 
345 
mineral fertilisers, it is well not to omit some organic manure as well, even 
as a kind of fill-up-the-time fertiliser. It is a very commendable practice 
to alternate the chemical manures with the organic. 
While the great majority of trees remain in a lethargic sleep during the 
winter season and return to life with the gentle warmth of spring, the 
Orange tree remains green all the year, and consequently always has its 
sap in movement. The nourishment of the tree should therefore be 
continuous. The employment solely of chemical manures results in the 
tree finding at its disposition a great quantity of nutritive material in an 
easily assimilable form, and as the irrigation water is seldom absent (that 
being the sine qua non of a plantation), the roots absorb these food 
materials with great avidity. When they are used up, the tree shows 
itself weak for want of food, and to avoid this result it is necessary to 
place within its reach fertilisers of slow decomposition, such as the organic 
manures, m order that it may receive its fertilising elements by slow 
degrees. By this means the tree is continuously fed, and only when it is 
necessary to reinforce its energies for the production of a large crop does 
one apply the chemical fertiliser, which is quickly absorbed and produces 
the desired efiect. 
General formulas of fertiliser for the Orange tree per hectare 
(2-471 acres) :— 
Note. — The use or non-use of gypsum in this formula produces very 
different results. When gypsum is employed the result is many little 
branches and much foliage ; but the small branches are useless ; they have 
little substance, and the leaves are large and far apart. The sulphate of 
lime somewhat lessens the expansion given to the plant by the nitrogen ; 
consequently the shoots are not so long, but stronger, stouter, and better 
formed, and the leaves numerous though of smaller size, closer grown, 
and more strongly united to the shoots. 
Young Teees. 
Superphosphate of lime 
Chloride of potassium . 
Sulphate of lime . 
Sulphate of iron . 
J Sulphate of ammonia . 
i or nitrate of soda . 
300 kilos. (661 lb.) 
375 „ (827 „) 
300 „ (661 „ ) 
60 „ (132 „) 
250 „ (551 „ ) 
100 „ (220 „) 
Pigeon dung 
Nitrate of soda . 
Superphosphate of lime 
Chloride of potassium 
Sulphate of lime 
Sulphate of iron 
1,500 kilos. ( 
300 „ ( 
250 „ ( 
40 „ ( 
250 „ ( 
100 „ ( 
3,306 lb. 
661 „ 
551 „ 
88 „ ; 
551 „ 
220 „ 
Fish guano 
Nitrate of soda . 
Phosphate ' Thomas ' . 
Sulphate of potash 
Sulphate of lime 
Sulphate of iron 
500 
240 
150 
60 
250 
100 
