Citrus Growing in South Africa - Oranges, Lemons, Naartjes, Etc #245625

Recent developments in the citrus fruit industry have made it neces sary that some information of a reliable nature should be available for distribution amongst inquirers. Whose number appear to be constantly increasing. It is with that object in view that the following notes have been written. They will not dwell upon the history of the orange, its introduction into South Africa and subsequent neglect for a long period, but will deal in a practical manner with those questions which present themselves to all who, with or without a previous knowledge of citrus growing, contemplate embarking upon this undertaking in our country. The extent of country embraced in the Union of South Africa is so vast, and the diversity of climatic and other conditions so wide, that it will be somewhat difficult to present any one system which shall be applicable to the needs of every section thereof. There are, however, certain fundamental truths upon which the whole superstructure of actual practice is based. And these will be presented as simply as possible. Leaving it to the reader to adapt them to the conditions under which he may be living. As instance of what is meant by diversity of conditions, compare the humid atmosphere experienced in all the coastal orange districts with that of the higher plateaus of the Central Cape Province and Transvaal, where the air is remarkable for its lack of moisture. Again. Take the question of altitude. \ve find a large area of coastal-grown fruit produced at little over sea-level, while inland some of the finest groves may be found at 40t feet above. As, of all the members of the citrus family which we produce, the orange is at present the most important, it is proposed to devote more time and space to that fruit than to the other types.