CULTIVATION OF THE ORANGE, & c.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6362, 8 April 1882, Page 5

CULTIVATION OF THE ORANGE, & c.

An Olh Austuai.ian writes to us the following, with reference to the cultivation of the orange, &c.:— $i U) —With so fine a climate, and splendid soil in the numerous valleys about Auckland and northward thereof, it seems somewhat strange to ste the enormous quantities of oranges and lemons imported from Sydney and the Fiji Islands. There is scarcely any crop of fruit so profitable as the orange, and it can be cultivated .so easily. The seed should be put into the ground fresh from the ripe fruit, which will ensure its germinating, and it has been proved in the Australian Colonies that an orchard formed in this manner will eventually produce finer trees and better fruit than one planfed with propagated trees one and two years old, although the seodliii"s are a little longer coming to maturity. Orange trees should not be planted deep, and the only labour required i.s to keep the "round clean. One acre of ground will carry A 0 trees, and each tree in full bearing will yield at the very lowest calculation 100 dozen oranges, whicli, at (id. per dozen, will give a return of £100 per acre per annum. }t may be alleged that one has to wait a long time before there is any return at all, but it must be borne in mind that the cultivation of the fruit is inexpensive, the soil docs not require to be trenched as for vines, but simply to be kept frc« from grass and weeds after the seeds arc placed iu shallow holes, dug loose about three feet in diameter. The orange, lemon and limes, arc hardy, long-lived trees, and continue to yield heavy crops of fruit for many years. I planted a tree in a rich loamy soil on an alluvial flat in lSliO, and in 1 S.T2"it was producing upwards Of ;")00 dozen splendid oranges, and continued in perfection for many years after. Tobacco is another article which should be easily grown in the Northern Island of New Zealand. The natives cultivate it with little care as far south as the south end of Lake Taupo, but there it is M rown in soil heated by subterrauean fires, in the vicinity of the hot springs. I have seen it grown freely at Port .Stephens, and on the Williams ami Pateraon Rivers, tributaries of the Hunter. The crop is a very profitable one, but great care is required in the cultivation, and the properly drying of the leaf necessitates the erection of large sheds and manufacturing premises. In the same locality, I have seen the opium poppy grown, and a sample of the drug sent to England, was pronounced to be as good as the best Turkey opium. New Zealanders appear to be behind the times in trying the capabilities of their soil and climate.