Citrus

     The citrus seeds have been very willing to grow.  Grapefruits and oranges grow very well in the house as well as tangerines.  But it must be that they need more sunlight to produce the fruit because there are wonderful green citrus trees in the house but no fruit grow on them over many years of them being cared for in the house.

    

 





  " While we were in Australia, we adopted the . . . plan . . . of digging deep trenches and filling them in with dressing that would create good soil. This we did in the cultivation of tomatoes, oranges, lemons, peaches, and grapes.  

     The man of whom we purchased our peach trees told me that he would be pleased to have me observe the way they were planted. I then asked him to let me show him how it had been represented in the night season that they should be planted. I ordered my hired man to dig a deep cavity in the ground, then put in rich dirt, then stones, then rich dirt. After this he put in layers of earth and dressing until the hole was filled. I told the nurseryman that I had planted in this way in the rocky soil in America. I invited him to visit me when these fruits should be ripe. He said to me, "You need no lesson from me to teach you how to plant the trees."   

     Our crops were very successful. The peaches were the most beautiful in coloring, and the most delicious in flavor of any that I had tasted. We grew the large yellow Crawford and other varieties, grapes, apricots, nectarines, and plums."--



Letter 350, 1907.                                                                         


3SM 328





 




 "Wherever we go there are pleasant parks. Much pains are taken to cultivate flowers. I have, never in any country, seen a city where the pleasure and health of the people is planned for as in Adelaide.    

     We are living two miles from the business part of Adelaide. In front of us are many acres of vacant land, and a block to the right of us is the asylum with its extensive and beautiful grounds enclosed by a high wall; We have a furnished cottage of six rooms, the weekly rent of which is one pound five shillings. The church has kindly hired us a horse and phaeton.    

     We have had storms and clouds most of the time since we have been here, and we long for the sunshine. The residents say that at this time of the year it is generally quite hot, and the grass begins to look gray. Now everything is in its glory. As we ride to and from the city, and pass the homes of the people, we see the orange trees covered with blossoms, the fragrance of which fills the air. Park lands extend around the city, and are to be found in different parts of the city. Yesterday we drove into a most beautiful park. In it were cultivated the pine, fir, and maple trees besides a variety of shrubs and other trees. The orange trees were there also, sending forth their fragrance nigh and afar off.  




9MR 343  






  VITALITY OF SEEDS.


THE duration of vitality of seed depends upon a variety of circumstances. Some seeds will retain their germinating power for an almost indefinite period. The so-called mummy wheat is said to have been raised from grain taken from an Egyptian sarcophagus. But whether this be true or not, it is, however, not impossible that some seeds may retain their germinative force for a much longer period than that for which we have unimpeachable evidence.

A humid atmosphere is very destructive to seed life, but exposure to a moderately dry air acts beneficially. The degree of cold a dormant embryo will bear with impunity, providing it has not been saturated with liquid, seems to be practically unlimited.

Perfectly ripened seeds of different plants vary greatly in their germinating force. 

Some seeds, such as coffee, etc., must be sown soon after they are collected; others, like those of the birch and sycamore, will rarely germinate the second year; while others retain the power for an unknown period.

Radish seeds have been known to grow freely when seventeen years old, and it is also recorded that kidney beans one hundred years old, and rye one hundred and forty years old, have germinated. So far as experience goes, prolonged vitality seems to depend on the nature of the pericarp, testa, or albumen, though there are some exceptions. 



Ready Print.



THE ORANGE-TREE.


THE orange is the longest-lived fruit-tree known. It is reputed to have attained the 

age of three hundred years, and been known to flourish and bear fruit for more than a hundred years. No other fruit-tree will sustain itself and produce fruit so well under neglect and rough treatment. It begins to bear about the third year after budding, and by the fifth year produces an abundant crop, though the yield is gradually increased by age and favorable circumstances. The early growth of the orange is rapid, and by its tenth year it has grown more than it will in the next fifty, so far as its breadth and height are concerned; but it is age that multiplies its fruit-stems.