586 
THE TROPICA]. AGRICULTURIST. 
[March 1, 1902. 
points to a bettor organization in the more slowly 
grown leaf, and it seems probable that this will 
explain the improved flavour of such leaf. 
(To be concluded.) 
COFFEE AND THE WORLD'S 
PRODUCnON. 
In the latest Consular Report on Eio de Janeiro, 
it is stated that the calamitous condition into which 
the coffee industry has drifted is clearly attributable 
to the unnecessarily large production, a sequel of 
the very extensive planting which took place six years 
ago, when prices were high and credits for enter- 
prize of all kinds extremely facile. The world's con- 
sumption is now calculated at 14,500,000 bags per 
annum, and it was the custom to say that, to make 
up this quantity, 10,000,000 bags were required from 
Brazil. More recent calculations, however, favour 
the idea that no more than 8,500,000 to 9,00).000 
bags are wanted from that country. But, however 
that may be, seeing that the world's production ia 
16,500,000 bags annually, and that the aggregate pro- 
duction of other countries has not expanded during 
the last 26 years, the excess in production in re- 
lation to consumption of 2,000,000 bags annuilly is 
attributed entirely to iirazil. 
The realisation of this fact led to a project, strongly 
advocated at first in miny quarters, aiming at the 
compulsory destruction of 20 per cent of the early 
crops. Fortunately, this anti-economic idea has now 
bsen generally condemned and more salutary methods 
of improving the situation are being earnestly ven- 
tilated. The cost of production, of course, varies 
aocord'ng to the circuinstanos of each plantation, 
its situation, nature of sol', extension, yield per tree, 
etc. Working expanses in Sao piulo, for example, 
are considered to ba, as a rule. 15 per cent, less 
than in Rio de Janeiro and Minas Geraes. Perhaps 
the average figure, including sacking and transit 
to shipping port, would be about 7 milreis per 32 lb. 
As the export value for the standard grade 7 is no 
more than this, and as the planter has still to pay 
the export duty of 9 to 11 per cent, ad valorem, 
it is evident that a consiJerable reduction in coit 
of production mast be brought about if coffee cul- 
civation is to continue as a paying industry. To 
this end incess vnt claims have been made for re- 
duction of export dues and transport tariffs, and 
they have not been left entirely unattendel to. 
Th9 State of Minas Geraes, for example, has re- 
duced its export tax from 11 to 9 per cent, ad 
valorem, and the freight tariffs on the Central, 
Leopoldina, and other railways have been reduced 
25 per cent, for hulled, aud 30 per cent, for unhuUed 
coffee, while a maximum rate of 100 milreia per 
ton is to be charged irrespective of distance. Field 
machinery and implements and all agricultural ac- 
cessories also are now exempted from import duties, 
while favours have been extended to mortgagees to 
free them from foreclosure dur ig the continuance 
of the crisis. Moreover, a more encouraging field 
for consumption in France has been opened by the 
reduction of the import duties into that country from 
156 to 136 fr. per 100 kilos. All these measuros will, 
however, be ineffectual in warding off collapse in 
many cases, for the simple reason that many of the 
new estates have been acquired and developed by 
means of mortgage loans by persons who have not 
even the floating capital necessary for current work- 
ing expenses and who, during this period of restricted 
credit, will be quite unable to obtain the assistance 
necessary for this branch of expenditure. — Home paper 
CULTIVATION OF ORANGES. 
By F. E. H. W. Kuichaiiff, Chairman Central 
Agricultural Bureau, y.A. 
Although the whole of the citrus tribe prefer a sweet 
friable soil of good depth and moisture, without being 
too wet, or planted in holes that prove to be atajuant 
puddles unable to drain themselves, the soil is of l^s' 
importance than irrigation or manuring ; only an ©x- 
Jess of moisture causes too often disease of the roots- 
but moderate irrigation, and manuring liberally an; 
regularly, will induce orange trees to become profitd 
able. 
Senor Alino, F.R.H.S., of Valencia, Spain, says an 
acre planted with orange trees may produce 26,500 lb. 
of fruit, and such a crop probably contains 100 lb. of 
nitrogen, the same of potash, 105 lb, of phosphoric 
acid, and 220 lb. of lime, not counting wood and leaves. 
It is therefore absolutely necessary to give compensa- 
tory fertilisers, although somewhat modified in accor- 
dance with the soil and its constituents. A clay soil, 
although poor in phosphoric acid, most likely does not 
require the v^hole of the potash returned for some 
years, as might be necessary for a soil rich in lime 
and phospholric acid. Gypsum reduces a soil rich in 
potash to a fit state for its absorption, and a smaller 
quantity of this fertiliser may therefore become neces- 
sary. Sandy soils are generally poor in plant food, 
and require all of them— after such a crop, at all 
events. Senor Alino, however, aays that an excess 
of phosphoric acid results in many but small fruits, 
well flavoured, with a thin skin ; and trees that are 
shy bearers may therefore require more of a phos- 
phatic manure. Potash makes the fruit even more 
sweet aud juicy, while too much nitrogen produces 
much wood and foliage, but coarse, thick-skinned, 
late ripening fruits, containing little sugar or aroma, 
and they do not keep well. 
It is admitted that dung and other organic manu- 
res are useful as an aid to commercial fertiliaerp, 
which, however, are so much quicker consumed, bac 
it is not advisable to give horse-dung more frequently 
than once in three years. Orange trees are never 
quite without a movemet of sap at any time of the 
year, and apparently require plant food to be given 
more than once a year, especially nitrogen, although 
once ia suffi^-ient for most other fruit trees. 
Senor Alino wants a deep annual ploughing, which it 
seems to me must injure the large number of flbroua 
roots which, here at least, are generally found to be 
ujarthe surfac?. When manuring, a slight stirring 
of the surface by a four-pronged fork seems to m? far 
better, and does not necessitate trimmed up trees to en- 
able ploughs to run near the stema. Low b.-anchea 
are good protection of the trunk against our fre- 
quently too powerful siyi. He forma round holea 
around his trees, and aaya that neither water nor 
manure should be allowed to enter. This certainly 
ia a statement which has surprised me and probably 
most of our orange growers, as our circle formed 
around a tree w is expressly made to water it better. 
warns orahardists also to spread fertiliaera not 
within a hand-breadth around the trunks. 
Young trees require per acre 325 lb. of nitrate of soda 
for an equivalent of 230 lb. of sulphate of ammonia), 
261 lb. of a phosphatio manure and 61) lb. of aulphato 
of potash in preference to muriate of potaah. For old 
trees in full bearing, 350 lb. of sulphate of ammoni i, 
or 440 lb. of nitrate of soda, 600 lb. of superphosphate 
of lime and 80 lb. of sulphate of potash may be re- 
quired, If nitrate of soda is to be naed, Thomas 
phosphate should be applied as phosphatic fertiliser, 
ijime, although it may be required, should not ba 
given with the above fertiliser ; either some time 
before or later. It is, however, well to apply perhaps 
both forms of nitrogen — namely, one-half of the 
doses of sulphate of ammonia in our winter, and 
one-half of the nitrate of soda three months later, 
when such division of the nitrogen may prevent 
the dropping of the young fruit. If the trees are not 
vigorous give but little potash ; if too luxuriant, with 
few fruits, omit the nitrogen and give more super- 
phosphate. In the United States a fertiliser ia used 
consisting of four cent, ammonia, five to six par cent, 
phosphoric acid, and thirteen per cent, potash, spread 
and broadcast twice a year, with great results. 
Journal of the Deparlinent of Agriculture, Western 
Australia, 
