CULTIVATION OF THE ORANGE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3666, 25 September 1880, Page 2

CULTIVATION OF THE ORANGE.

Probably no cultivated fruit surpasses the orange as a remunerative crop. Certain orange grounds in New South Wales are known to afford an' annual return of over £500 per acre. It is stated that one tree has yielded 300 dozen per annum for over 20 years. No better proof of its remunerative character can be required than the fact of its culture extending every year. In this colony good oranges and lemons have been pro* duced for many years in the Auckland district, although no attention has been paid to the selection of sorts or to special culture. The best soil for the orange is that produced by the decomposition of baaaltic rocks, although a friable, rather sandy loam is almost as good. The ground should be fully prepared, and, if necessary, thoroughly drained. . Shelter from high winds is absolutely requisite. This could be secured by planting evergreen trees round the enclosure. There are several kinds, native and introduced, which could ■be procured at low rates and in any quan* tity. An essential point is the selection of suitable kinds; these should be worked on stocks of the Seville orange—one year old, if they can be procured. They should be kept in beds for enedrtwo years before planting out, the surface of the soil being covered with moss in dry weather. After permanent planting! afi the cultivation required is to keep the surface free from weeds, aod mulch with loose manure or some substitute, which should be forked in after the fruit is gathered, and to remove, superfluoas shoots, so as to admit a free circulation of air to to the centre of the tree. Bhould the black blight make its appearance the plant must be dressed with a mixture of soft soap and kerosene, or with some other preparation used for that pnrpose. There are numerous localities in which not only the orange but the lemon, lime, citron and shaddock, could be advantageously cultivated. An orange orchard would come into bearing eight or tea years after planting;, the urees should not be allowed to bear when too young. After the tenth year eaoh tree is supposed to produce from 1000 to 1600 oranges. About 100 trees may be planted to the acre, but the number would vary according to the mode of growth adopted, and in a lesser degree to the kind selected. Estimating the annual value of the produce of each tree at the low rate of 10s would give a return of £50 an acre. Bat as we have said that 1000 oranges per, tree would be alow return, the annual value per acre may be simply estimated at £100.—Thos. Kibk, Wellington.