gl "t h r t ^ ifV f1 j]||ci t^^^iiigi - ; M I ill i,H --- AllJi A DIXIMT' sOMk () (•' THK J:;l^>J' '■' \ ! : I ! : i I j'> ( > '■ 'r f r i; fr i; [ r, < ; a Ttl ekTKG, ''riU.\(; /^M? I'lIET'ARIXC THE FRUIT i-'Oi; sTnr:\rFXM^ A>f> \iarrp:t \-^^ \\\ ■ Horticultural Editor of tlie Srx Axn Prk:ss. .THcksonville. Fla l^RiNTED AND PUBLISHED BY CHARLES W. DACOSTA> JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: B E G ^« B' B B Bf B B E r: B B^ B B ARLINGTON NURSERIES Tropical and Seml-Tropical FRUIT TREES, Roses, Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs and Flowering Plants. New and Choice Varieties of @i^iii ffiiiili l:iiii5 Made a Specialty. Send for Descriptive Catalogue for Fall- of 1880 and Spring of 1881. Albert I. Bidwell, Jacksonville, Florida. A TREATISE ON THE CULTURE OF THE ORANGE TOGETHi^K Win, A I) -,S('!:i]'TION OF SOME OF THE BEST VAHIETIE^ OF THE FFaJIT, OATHEKING, CIJFJNG AND PREPARING THE FliUIT FOR SHIP- MENT AND MARKET BY GEORGE W, DAVIS, M. D., ) « Horticultural Editor of the Sun and Prkss. Jacksonville. Fla. PUBLISHED AND PRINTED BY CHARLES W. DACOSTA. JACKSONVILLE. FLORIDA. 1881. Eutered According to Act of Congress in the year 1881, by GEORGE W. DAVIS. In the Office of Librarian of Congress at Washington. e^^^^ 9 o.^ TO THE READER. Ill presenting this little Treatise on Orange Culture to the notice of a rliscerning public, the writer desires to acknowledge his inability to do exact justice to the subject. It is not a compilation, but a plain, comprehensive state- ment of facts — not theories — as he understands them ; the I't'sult of ten years close observation and practical experi- enee. Should this little work meet a long-felt want of a practical guide in orange culture, and be the means of speeding the good work along to a successful issue, the highest aim and object will have been attained, by Yours truly, George W. Davis. Jacksonville, Florida, January 1881. CULTURE OF THE OKANOE. rOCATION OF GROVE. The most important consideration when starting an orange grove, is location. This shoiihl be near some snre and permanent line of transportation, or in the immediate vicinity of some proposed line which will he sure to be established in the near future. There are at present maiiy fine bearing groves scattered over the State, from ten lo thirty miles from an outlet; and hauling boxes of oranges that far by wagon is attended with a good deal ol' expense and often loss of much of the fruit by bruising, which unfits it for transportation to distant markets. In legard to lati- tude and longitude, we believe oranges can be successfully grown, in good locations, anywhere south of the Georgia line. There are many small groves of old trees in the vicinity of Jacksonville, in latitude 80° 20', also on Amelia Island, which have borne fairly for the last forty yeiu>. Some localities are more exempt from frost than others, it is true ; but when the grove is situated on moderately high and dry land, not in the vicinity of marshes, and properly protected with timber belts, we believe, it matters but little where it is located below 31°, in Florida. Frost is perhaps more likely to occur in the extreme northern and middle portions of the State, but is more destructive on low wet places, not suited to orange culture. Undoubtedly, the most attractive locations are in the vicinity of the St. Johns river, but that is not saying that there are no other ^-ood or desirable places in the State. Much stress has heretofore been laid on water protec- tion, by nearly all writers who have written on the subject. They contend that a large body of water located on the west or north of a grove is pretty sure to prevent injury by frost. This, however, depends upon circumstances. In case of frosty weather, if there is wind from the northwest or north, in passing over a large body of water, the tem- perature of which is much above the atmosphere, ihe warm vapor is carried by the wind and has a tendency to tem- perize to the extent of from two to five degrees; but where the atmosphere is still, very little difference will be observed in the temperature on either side of the water. Frost usually goes in streaks, like wind storms, and may be noticed in some localities while others equally exposed are exempt. The best location for an orange grove is one entirely surrounded by a belt of tall timber trees. If this cannot be had, it should certainly be protected on the north, east and south. There is more damage done to the trees and growing crop by th-:- wind than f/om all othei' causes what- soever. The damaging winds in this State are from the north, northeast, east and southeast, and groves exposed on those points of the compass are very likely co suffer annu ally from that cause. However attractive and desirable it may be to locate a g)-ove on the border of some lake or broad river, yet the disadvautages arising from exp(vure to wind storms would more than counterha'ance in tlie eml. SOIL. The orange will grow and thrive m almost any soil not too wet or too dry. But, like all other fruit trees, souie soils are better adapted to its cnltivation than others. The best soil seems to be a light sandy loanj, naturally dj-ained, moderately elevated, not less than five feet and ijot more than twenty feet above permaneid. water. As slaved aht>Vf, orange trees will flourish and l).-ar very well on ]o\'~ nxiist soil, or even on a dry poi-ous soil ; but the trees are mori' subject to disease, and the yield of fruit is more likely to vary in quality and quantity. Because the wild oran<^c is to be found mostly in low wet hammock, is no reason why the sweet orange will do well there. The fact that the wild orange is principally found on the borders of streams or on the shores of lakes in damp localities is accounted for, we think, by the fires which annually sweep over the dry land ansphate, dried blood, fisli oimno and many other artificial fertilizers have bev'ii ( uipioyt'd by orange growers with beneficial effects ; each person wh • has been successful with any one of them, recommends his favorite as the very best. The facts are, that each and every one are good, and *' best " in proportion to the greatest am(junt of phuit food in a soluble form wdiich tliey coiUain Young growing trees require fertilizers rich in carbon, nitrogen, phosphates and potash. Older bearing trees require manures rich in phosphates potash and li?ne. 18 MUCK- Where other fertilizers cannot be easily obtained, muck from the swamps is to be had in abundance in almost any part of the State. Fresh dug muck applied to the soil is of but little immediate benefit, but when treated with fresh caustic lime or composted with stable manure or other materials and then applied, it has a very beneficial effect. A very good way to apply muck is to remove it from the swamp to dry land, allow it to remain in large piles for some months or until it is pretty well decomposed, then apply it about the trees in liberal quantities, spread it well, and in a few weeks sprinkle over it a peck of oyster shell lime to each tree. This should be done in January or February. After a few days or weeks it should be thoroughly worked over and mixed with the surface Si)il with hoe or cultivatoi". The plow buries it too deep and does not mix it with the soil so well as the cultivator. All fertilizers should be applied to the surface and' worked into the soil as evenly and lightly as possible. In this condition the elements play an important part in. con- verting the different articles into plant food which is far- ried down to the ro(.'ts by the rainfall. Another mode of enlarging the manure heap by the use of muck, is to cart it to the cow-pen, hog-pen or horse stable, and allow it to receive the fluids and droppings of animals. In this way, from its well known powers of absorption, all the inorganic properties of manures will be saved, and aitei the muck has become sufficiently saturated with the animal excretions it should be thrown into heaps and allowed to ferment,- when it will be in a fit condition to apply as a dressing to the soil. One of the best fertilizers we ever usetl for the growing orange trees was a compost of muck, hard wood ashes and fine ground bone — three parts muck, two parts 19 ashes, and one part bone. Sink a large box in the ground sufficient to contain the amount of compost you desire to make. First, a thick hiyer of finely deconjposed muck ; then a layer of finely ground bone ; then ashes, and so on alternately till your compost is complete, finishing oft with a thick layer of muck; moisten thoroughly with water, and at intervals of tw<) or three weeks renew the moisten- ing; when in about three months the solution of the plant food will be complete. No escape of ammonia will occur while the ashes are dissolving the bone, as the muck will absorb that as fast as it is developed. Remove from the box, mix thoroughly and you have a complete manure, rich in i^lant food. We have stated that the orange tree requires a liberal supply of potash and phosphorus. Tha sandy lands of Florida are very deficient in these materials and the soil, being leachy, requires frequent application of fertilizers containing these substances. cow PEAS AS MANURE. Cow peas make an excellent green fertilizer. Some recommend the growing of the cow pea and turning under with the plow when the peas are in bloom. This would be an excellent way to prepare the land before planting the trees, and may do very well afterwards if care is taken not to plow deep close to (he tree so as to disturb the roots. A better way, we think, is to grow the peas in the summer and when in pod cut and j)ile around the trees, not too near, and allow them to rot on the soil, which ihey will do in a few weeks if the season is wet. When pretty well rotted stir into the soil and the effects of the dressing will be observed in a short time by the vigorous growth and fine color of the trees. It will be noticed that we have given a good deal of 20 of attention to the subject of thorough fertilization, but it may be as well to state that on the light poor lands of Florida no success will attend the cultivaiion of those who neglect it. It has been promulgated by some theorists that stable manure is too heating and stimulating and, if used, will produce the "die back" and other calamities on young growing tiees. We believe the theory is not a good one, and that the disease of the trees may be traced to other causes, such as bad locations, w^et, soggy soil, the action of wind and rain storms, moss and fungoid growths, etc. However others may regard these heating manures, we have seen the best of effects from their use, and shall cootiiiue to run the risk till otherwise convinced. OTHER 'helps. One of the grealtst helps in the successful cultivation of a young orange grove, is a flock of fowls. The small breeds which have a disposition to range, like the Ham- burgs or Leghorns, are undoubtedly tlie best. They will clean out the grasshoppers, worms, butterflies, slugs, moles, small snakes, lizards, toads, frogs, and every other crawl- ing, flying and hopping thing which is not too formidable for them to cope with. We have a flock of fifty, which have the range of our home grove of seven acres, and it is amusing to see these lively creatures range over the field in pursuit of insects and other animal food. Hardly afoot of the field but what is scoured over every day ; and be' sides, they destroy a vast amount of grass and weeds ;ind obnoxious things generally. They will pay iheir way better than any other stock. A flock of turkeys would very likely be better, because their proclivities for ranging are proverbial. But then it 21 would require a high fence to keep them anywhere in bounds. Any kind of fowls are useful in an orange grove and should be employed wherever practicable. SOME DRAWBACKS. One of the greatest drawbacks to the Northern settler in Florida is the fence laws. These laws seem to have been enacted for the special protection and encouragement of the " cracker " and " squatter," who own or work but little land, own from one to a dozen head of cattle, five to ten ho^s, and pay little or no taxes. These animals, according to law, are allowed to run at large and range wherever they list, and the settler who cares to raise any crop or keep his grove free from depredations, must " fence them out." No redress for grievances of any kind, and as fencing material soon rots out in this climate, the expense of keeping fences " hog proof and stallion high" amounts to no inconsiderable sum. We hope and trust when our legislature meets, they will see the wisdom of curtailing this perfect freedom of range, or the " hoggish" part of it at least. A very good practice prevails in some portions of the State. A neighborhood or community make laws for their own protection in the hog business. They agree among themselves to keep up fences sufficient to turn cat- tle, and the hogs found strolling about are made into pork on sight. Hogs are not prevalent to any great extent in such communities, and we liopo to see the same regulations carried into effect in other localities. It has been asserted to us by individuals that the damage done to crops every year, in some portions of Florida, by hogs and cattle being allowed a free range, is more than the actual wtjrth of the animals. To the new settler, it is a sore grievance and one of the greatest set-backs to the settlement of the country. 22 The fence laws as now in vogue ami understood are a pro- lific source of coolness and contention among neighh )rs, and lead to the commission of matiy crinies ; and we believ(^ several murders in the State have been committed fi-oin feuds growing out of the 8an:>e. Wy hope our next legis lature will remedy the evil. THE FKORT LINE Much has been written, said and sung in regaid to the "frost line" and the "orange belt ' in Florida. There is no portion of Florida where frost has not been (observed sometimes; but except in the year '85, we have never heard of any particular damage by frost below the twenty-seventh parallel of latitude, and but seldom has it occurred below the twenty-eighth. About the twenty-eighth to tne Geor- gia line, there are moie or lesri cold waves during the winter, and in many localitie* considerable damage is done to orange trees, and sometijues the cold is severe enough to injure the fruit. In 1870 71 many young trees were killed to the ground and large quantities of fruit was frozen solid on the trees. The same thing occurred in 1876-7, but the freeze was not so general nor severe in some localities as in others. The cold wave seemed to go in streaks, and w\as very severe in all the counties lying along the 8t. Johns from the Georgia line to Brevard. It was very severe in many localities in Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Volusia and Orange. In Duval, where the writer resides, it occurred only in particular localities. Some groves below, about and above Jacksonville, were hardly sinsed. The writer lost three hundred young trees (they were not protected), w^hile his neighbors close by did not receive a scratch. And so it seemed to travel, touching here and there, as far sonth as Lake Jessup. Even in that year many oranges were frozen 23 'O!! the trees. We remember at the State fair in Jackson- ville, in 1877, the only oran^^es on exhibition that had been frozen were grown in a county, more than one hundred miles due south of Jacksonville, and the orange that took the first premium for quality, was grown two miles below Jacksonville. We might cite many other instances to prove that there is no such thing as the "orange belt " and ^' below the frost line," except in the brain of interested parties. There will be occasional failures from frost in nearly all sections of the State which are habita))ie, and parties wishing to locate need not be alarmed b}'- the bag- bear stories of land speculators. YARIETIES. A gentleman last winter, while conversing about vari • eties of the orange, said : '' There is no orange grown in Florida that is not merchantable." He was a stickler for seedlings, having a large grove of those '* varieties." The same might be said in regard to apples, pears and potatoes > but that there are some varieties of oranges better than others, more jxilatable, better shape, better size, better ship- ping qualities, etc., no one who has had much experience in handling oranges will pretend to deny. The writer h:is been one of the committee on nomen- clature of ti; '. I'fuit Grower-' Association, and one of the judges on fruit at all the State "fairs which have been held in Florida, and has had fruit under consideration from all parts of the vState, and under the circumstances believes he can name varieties which will i:ive general satisfaction. We would advise by all ni'ans that the young grove be planted with budded varieties. While planting, the better varieties may as well be obtained and set, as the ordinary kinds. 24 In the coming future, oranges will, like apples, pear^: and other fruits he marketed hy specific names, and only the best known varieties will have any standing with the public. Such being the fact, it behooves those engaged in the business to possess, as far as possible, the best varieties now known. For the convenience of those interested, we will sfive a short description of a few named varieties, which have received the sanction of the Fruit Growers' Association of Florida, and will name them in the order of excellence. Magnum Bonum. — Size large to very large ; color, clear light orange; Skin thin, smooth and glossy; pulp fine, tender, melting, juicy, sweet and vinous. Homosassa. — Medium size, skin very thiti. remarkably smooth and satiny ; color, bright ; pulp very fine, remark- ably juicy, sweet, vinous and fine flavor. Nonpareil. — Size above medium; bright col.ir; skin thin, pulp tender and melting; juice sub-acid and vinous. Old Vini, — Size above medium ; color, dark orauore ; skin rather rough, medium ; pulp rather coarse, juicy, sweet and remarkable for a sprightly aromatic flavor. Navel. — Size large to very large : skin rough, rathei* thick and tough; pulp very fine, melting, tinider, juicy, sweet and good flavor ; valuable for late ripening and carrying qualities. ^ Tardif. — Large dark orange; skin smooth and 'hin ; pulp rather tough, grain fine, juicy and sweet ; an ordinary orange, but valuable on account of its late ripening qualities. Arcadia. — Size large, color deep, skin smooth, medium; pulp deep rich color, coarse, melting, juicy and sub-acid. 25 Sweet Seville. — Small, color dark, skin thin, pulp very line, juicy, melting, and very sweet and sprightly. Mandarin, or Tangerine, Kid Glove — Medium or i^mall size, color dark orange ; skin medium, irregularly ribbed, flattened or tomato shaped ; pulp coarse, readily parting from the skin, and the sections also part readily from each other ; juicy, sweet and highly aromatic This orange is becoming very populixr as a table fruit on ac- count of the ease with which the pulp may be got at with- out soiling the hands. This orange is known in Florida under the cognomen of Tangerine, but is undoubtedly the old Mandarin. There are several seedling varieties, one of the best of which we ever saw was exhibited last winter at the State fair by Doctor Wall, of Tampa. Sugar Sweet. — Small, globular, smooth, thin skin, pulp fine, tender, juicy, very sweet and delicious. A beautiful little orange, called sometimes the " picnic orange '' on account of its size and the number which will go in a box. Tree said to be very prolific. Every grove should contain a few trees or variety, and on account of its early ripening October), and for the excellence or its fruit. ^ Satsuma. — A native of the island of Kiusiu, Japan, and named after <»ne of the chief cities of that island by request of Mrs. General Van Valkenburg The trees of this variety and species were introduced into Florida by Dr. George R. Hall in 187(5 and also by Mis. Van Valkenburg in 1878. Th<.^ trees were imported direct from Japan. The variety belongs to the loose rinded species, Citru.s Aurantium Japonimim. The fruit is medium size, flat- tened, deep orange color, smooth thin skin, which is sweet. 26 aromatic and easily detatched from the pulp. Color «tf pulp dark orange ; segments part freely; fine grain, tender, juicy, sweet and delicious. There is none of that peculiar rank odor which characterizes most other varieties belong- ing to the same class and species. The tree is thornless, the leaves peculiarly thick, lanciolate, serrated, medium, pit- iole linear, and the fruit is seedless. The fruit of this variety will doubtless take high rank for the table and dessert. We regard it a rare and desirable acquisition. Pkillips' Bitter Sweet. — Large, thin skin, pulp tender, juicy, sub-acid, slightly bitter and aromatic. Doubtless a hybrid of the wild and sweet orange. Among other good features, the tree is thornless. . An excellent summer fruit. A few trees should be in every well regulated grove. Dummit. — Large, bright, juicj , sweet, sugary ; a first class orange, except the skin is thin and tender, which renders it difficult to ship, Dixon. — Fine large orange, first-class, good shipper. Spratfs Harmon. — Excellent every way. Said to be very prolific. Parson Brown. — Large, sweet, juicy, fine. Said to be excellent. Higgins. — Medium, fair ; skin smooth and thin ; pulp fine, juicy, sweet and excellent. This variety was awarded the first premium at the fair last winter for quality. Mediterranean Sweet. — This variety has not yet been fruited in this State. It is described as large, bright, thin skin, juicy, sweet and delicious, and highly commended for its earliness, prolific bearing, and from the fact that its branches are thornless. This one fact alone would be a 27 good reconnneDd. It comes to us from California and is regarded as the very best, or one of the best. There are many other varieties of the orange which are considered "the best," by those who grow them, and in the vicinity of their h^cality. Some of them are undoubtedly above the average, but when exhibited side by side and compared and tested with some we have named, prove to be only ordinary. Many foreign varieties are being prop- agated now, and we may find in some of them fruit supe- rior to our present stock, but we do not look for any such event. PRUNING. But very little pruning seems uecessary in cultivating the orange tree, especially if you wish low-headed trees. It ii better to let them grow about as they list for the first three or four years, except pulling off the water sprouts as they appear, and keeping the tree in a symmetrical form. Trees headed low shield the trunk in frosty weather, and when they commence bearing the fruit is more easily reached ; and besides, in case of wind storms, the tree^and fruit are less likely to suffer injury than trees which are trimmed high. An orange tree will seldom bear when growing in a'compact upward form ; but will bear soon, when the branches begin to extend laterally ; hence, trees which have a tendency to go skyward should be topped and caused to spread out their arms laterally. CULTURE OF MATURE GROVES. When the orange tree has reached the bearing age, the treatment may be varied from that which was necessary during its rapid growth. It will be remembered that the employment of nitrogenous manures was highly com- 28 mended, such as stable manure, dissolved bone, fish guan(^ dried blood, etc.. composte 1 with muck. But such stimu- lating articles are no longer necessary, except in so far as to keep up the steady growth of the tree and furnish food for wood growth. It will be noticed that after a liberal application of stable manure, or cow-penning the soil, the trees put on an extraordinary growth, and if fruiting at the same time, the fruit will be large, coarse, rough, taste- less and watery, and will show very few of the character- istics which it presented under different treatment of the trees. The best fertilizer for a bearing grove is fine ground bone, with the addition of ashes or muriate of potash, or a light dressing of common salt. The soil should be fre- quently stirred with the cultivatoi- throughout the season. Muck, well decomp()s^■d, is always in order, and every three or four years a good dressing of oyster-shell lime, say half a bushel to a tree, will be very beneficial. From eight to ten pounds of raw ground bone, scattered broadcast around each tree and well harrowed in. will furnish phos- phorus sufficient to last four or five years. It is slowly decomposed by coming in contact with carbonic acid gas, which is generated in the soil by the decomposition of veg- etable substances, and in this way furnishes an abundance of phosphorus for the wants of the trees. Potash requires to be applied more frequently, as a superabundance of that material, dissolved by the rains, and what is not appropri- ated by the roots, washes down out of r* ach of the feeding' roots; hence it should be applied oftener, and in smaller quantities, say about two pounds to each large tree, annu- ally. The required amount of these nor-organic elements 29 to keep up a healthy growth of tree and fruit, varies with tlie consistence of -different soils. The treatment here recommended applies to light sandy soils without bottom ; but where th^e soil consists partly of clay, or has a clay subsoil, a much smaller quan- tity of any manureal substance will be required. The clay holds the inorganic elements, and the roots take them up as needed. The leaves which fall from the tree and decompose m\ the soil, furnishes sufficient plant food to keep the tree in a Fpass«.bly healthy condition ; but if you wish an abundance of fruit, you must feed your trees accordingly. CARE OF THE TREES. The trees should have every attention in order to keep them healthy, and in good condition to furnish annual crops of fruit. All superfluous wood and twigs on the inner branches should be carefully removed in order to admit light and air to the center of the tree. Cobwebs and all collections of debri*^ should be brushed away, and the truik and branches brushed over with the soap and soda solution mentioned heretofore, and the tree entire showered completely over with the same solution. This application should be made once a year, before the trees bloom. It not only cleans the trees from moss and dirt, but has a tendency to free them from insects; the scale in particular, and besides the soda solution acts as a powerful fertilizer by dissolving materials inert in the soil and converting them into plant food. DISEASE OF ORANGE TREES. The orange tree, as a rule, is not subject to many dis- eases. If the proper soil and conditions are present, the tree will continue to grow, remain healthy and vigorous, and live to a good old age, even centuries. We are of the 30 opinion that to location and soil may be attributed all the diseases to which the tree is subject. " DIE-BACK," AND "GUM-DISEASE." In many localities a disease is somewhat prevalent, which, for want of a better name, and as it describes in a measure the characteristics, has received the above cogno- men. The principal symptom is the issue of gum through the bark, and its collection in tears or drops on the surface. The gum disease may develop in any portion of the tree and branches, but it usually makes its appearance through solitary rapid growing shoots, and at the collar of the tree near the surface of the ground, but makes its appearance in every part of the diseased tree if the bark is cut or wounded. Of the cause but little is known. It is un- doubtedly a disease of faulty nutrition. It is very preva- lent in Louisiana and in many localities in Florida. The disease is met with more frequently in soils which are low and composed largely of humus, and especially where underlaid with a ferruginous clay hard-pan. It is believed that the rich soggy soil contains elements not well calcu- lated for the healthful condition of the trees. Acidity of the soil is probably the cause, and lime and potash is the remedy. Better locate your grove where no such condi- tions exist. It has been observed that insects are uiore likely to attack trees which are diseased. Whether there is a differ- ence in the consistence of the sap. or whether, like the human family, they manifest a disposition to kick the indi- vidual on the down-hill road and help him along, is not so patent ; but sure it is that a diseased orange tree attracts more bugs, spideis, scale and other abominations than a 31 carcass does buzzards. The effects of the disease have often been mistaken for the causeij. The sap is not properly manufactured bj the roots ; the laboratory below has not the right kind of material to work up a healthy circulating medium, — hence, the leaves do not elaborate the sap into the proper elements for wood growth, and the result is pale, succulent, rapid growing sprouts, which contain a dispro- portion of gum and glucose. These unhealthy growths, not being able to resist the effects of the sun's rays, often blister and crack ; the sap oozes out, dries on the surface in the form of tears, which are sweet and succulent, and thereby attract all sorts of insects and ants. These sprouts not having the elements necessary for healthy branches, often wither and die back to the part of the tree from which they started ; hence, we have the "die-back" and the " gum disease" all in one. The cause is undoubtedly at the root ; the efficts dyspepsia, from defective or pernicious plant food ; the remedy, proper location, cultivation and a potash, soda and lime diet. The same dyspeptic symptoms in the tree, may some- times be produced by over feeding, or a surfeit of rich ni- trogenous manure, but we think such instances are rare, and the disease more likely to occur from too much acidity in the soil. RUST ON THE OEANGE. Although rust on the rind of an orange is not consid- ered detrimental to the qualities of the fruit, yet it detracts from its external appearance wonderfully, and reduces its market value in a corresponding degree. There has been much speculation as to the cause of this abnormal condition, and the experiments of investiga- 32 tors have not yet determined the whys and the wherefores^ Some individuals are of the opinion that it is caused hy the punctures of insects — the orange mite — through the outer rind intr^the oil cells, thereby causing the oil U> ooze out and spread over the nod, which oxidizes and pro- duces the stain as we find it. Others think it is caused wholly by the excretions of microscopic insects; while others still, maintain that it is natural rUst of a fungoid character. Our investigations, which have been rather extensive and thorough, leads to the belief that the rust is the result of both the workings of insects and a fungus. It is noticeable that the rust seldom covers the entire rind. Sometimes one side only is stained ; sometimes a ring extending around the middle, and sometimes only a spot or specks will appear. When in the way of observation, it has been found that the orange is green and smooth up to half its natural size. Then a smooth, light colored sub- stance would appear in places, or over a portion of the surf- ace of the fruit, seeming like the light gjary trail left by a snail. Examination of portions of the rind at this time with the microscope, has revealed the presence of minute insects, and also the presence of the ordinary orange scale. The light glary substance was found evenly spread over portions of the surface, corresponding to the rusty surface, which subsequently appeared. Subsequent examinations with the microscope revealed minute fungus spread over the entire surface of those bands and patches covered by the glary substance. These occurrences leads to the belief that the light glary substance seen on the rind was a secre- tion of the insects, which remains and forms a fit lodging place for the spores of fungi to develop. What confirms us more strongly in the belief that in- 33 sects are at the bottom of the mischief, is, that of all the fruit examiDed which was rusty, not a single specimen could be found that did not show the presence of scale on the fruit or branches of the tree. Another fact still more favorable to the insect hypothesis, is this : In the year 1879, the scale insect prevailed to a fearful extent, and the orange crop was as fearfully rusty, while this year, the scale has not made such astonishing havoc, and the orange crop was never brighter, or presented a more healthy appear- ance. In regard to a remedy for rust on the orange we have none to offer, except that the trees should be so cultured as to keep them properly healthy, and such appliances used as to rid the trees of the scale insect This we believe is the only remedy. In regard to other appliances, such as lime dust, kerosene and the like, there is no hope except as they may be the means of getting rid of the universal pest. SPLITTING OF THE ORANGE. During the later growing months of the orange, from July to November, the rind of the fruit sometimes cracks, exposing the segments of the interior to the weather, and the fruit soon decays and drops from the stem. Sometimes but few fruits are so affected ; sometimes many. Some trees seem worse than others standing in the immediate vicinity, and some seasons none are lost from this cause. The cause has generally been attributed to a season of drowth, followed by excessive wet, thereby causing the pulp to grow faster than the rind, which, not being able to with- stand the pressure from withiu, splits ; and hence the result. The present season has been one prolific in split fruit > 84 and yet, there has been no unusual drowth, nor bus there been a lack of moisture, especially during the months of September, October and November. Many oranges have split and fell all through the season, even up to late in November, and it has been noticed that trees standing on low gronnd, where plenty of moisture was always at hand, have been affected equally with those growing on high, dry soil. Our observations leads to the belief that the cause of splitting of the orange is not well understood, and that the theory generally accepted has but little foundation in fact More light on this important subject is desirable, and we hope more attention will be given the subject in the future, and that the cause and the cure may be fully ascertained. Many thousands of oranges are lost every year by this strange, unnatural phenomenon. INSECTS. There are many insects which are more or less injuri* ous to the welfare and successful cultivation nf an orange grove. Among the many, the grasshopper plays a conspic- uous part. They exist in countless thousands, and live by devouring the leaves of the trees, and young succulent shoots. There are several varieties which prey upon the leaves; but perhaps the meanest of all the tribe is the green, flying insect, commonly known as the Katy-did. These creatures will destroy and mutilate about as great an amount of leaves as the silk worm, and accom- plish the task in an incredible short space of time. The common brown grasshoppers are also numerous, but not so ravenous as the Katys. The only effectual remed}' are the birds and a flock oj' fowls. These useful helps are to be highly commended, and should receive every encouragement to do their duty, by 35 not feeding them much of anything except what they get in the range. It will '^not do to feed fowls ranch if you wish them to do their duty in an orange grove. The orange dog is a large spotted worm, the larvae of a very large spotted black and gold butterfly. They prey upon the orange leaves, and should be destroyed by hand picking. Termites, or white ants, commonly called wood lice, are very destructive to the orange trees. They are to be found under old wood, logs and rubbish. They frequently attack the orange tree at the collar, just under the surface of the soil, and eat the bark entirely away, completely girdling the tree at the roots, which is fatal. Dig around the trees occasionally in search of them, and if found at their work, disturb their quarters ; show them to your chickens, and they will devour the last one of them. If you have no fowls, dig out their nest and apply the soda solution, or some hot suds. Remove old wood, brush, and mulching from the trees, as these form a convenient harbor for them. ORANGE SCALE. Perhaps no other subject on orange culture is of greater iraportuiice than the one at the head of this para- graph. The scale insect or bark louse has never until re- C3ntly received much attention ; but the people have now become thoroughly aroused to its importance, and the Agricultural Department at Washington, has commissioned its entomologist, to study the species, their habits and de- velopment. Prof J. H. Comstock, the entomologist, has spent nearly a year in Florida and California in this inves- tigation, and has succeeded in classifying about fifteen 36 species which are injurious to fruit trees aii Q rn H pa o o a ^ ;i^ ti :/: ^ k I 1^ W .£ I I •d ^ m #.^^^^,,#^%^^^^^;.MHi^^S^^*^V#''^^=^^#^4