ORANGE ORCHARD OF LYMAN PHELPS, SANFORD, FLA.
ORANGE ORCHARD OF LYMAN PHELPS, SANFORD, FLA.
In California the orange was first planted by the mission fathers centuries ago. The first real orchard is said to have been planted at San Gabriel in 1804. Before the discovery of gold in that far-away region very few orange orchards existed there, and they were of small size. Up to 1872 very little more than this was done, when the founding of the colony at Riverside, and the fortunate introduction of the Bahia or Navel orange from Brazil by our government, at this juncture, was the start of prosperous citrus culture on that coast. Now there are annually about 5,000,000 boxes of oranges sent out of that State alone, and the amount is steadily increasing. A large part of these are of the justly famous Navel variety.
Lemon growing is also becoming a great industry there. Orchards of one hundred acres are rather common, and some are fully five times larger. Over 2,000,000 boxes of lemons were produced the past season.
The Olive.—Among the historic fruits of Palestine and southern Europe the olive holds a conspicuous place. Numerous but futile attempts weremade in early times to establish it in Virginia and along the Atlantic coast, the climate there proving unsuitable. But in the warmer parts of California the olive is perfectly at home. The first olive orchard of consequence was planted by Ellwood Cooper, at Santa Barbara, in 1872, and in 1876 he made oil from the fruit grown on the trees. Now there are many extensive orchards in many parts of the State. It is estimated that there are nearly 2,000,000 olive trees now growing in that State. The oil and pickled fruit are steadily becoming popular in our fancy markets in competition with the foreign product.
OLIVE ORCHARD, QUITO RANCH, NEAR SAN JOSE, CAL.
OLIVE ORCHARD, QUITO RANCH, NEAR SAN JOSE, CAL.
The Fig.—Very little is done in fig culture east of California, although the trees are not tender along the Gulf coast, except in case of extremely severe winters. In California it is a decided success, commercially as well as for mere pleasure. The past year dried figs to the amount of nearly 4,000,000 pounds were sent to market, and the quantity has been constantly increasing for several years.
The Pineapple.—Those who have never seen pineapples growing are apt to think they are produced on trees. This is far from the fact. They grow on the tips of stalks about two feet high. The plants have large narrow leaves that cluster at the ground, from the centre of which these stalks spring. A few patches were planted on the islands near the Florida coast in 1860, but it is only about fifteen years since the first vigorous attempts were made to grow this delicious fruit in the United States. Florida is the only region within our country where the climate is sufficiently moist and warm for it to flourish. Along the east coast, from Rock Ledge southward, and on the west coast below Tampa, are the most favorable sections. Many acres are devoted to its culture there. Frosts damage the plants sometimes, but they soon recover. In central Florida, many acres are grownunder sheds. These are made of frame-work, which is covered with slats or boughs as a protection from frost. Upwards of 3,000,000 fruits of marketable size are now produced in Florida annually.
Other Fruits.—The date is just beginning to be set in the arid regions of Arizona and southern California, and with good prospects of success. Already many trees are in bearing, and the fruit is of excellent quality. The choicest varieties have been imported from Africa. The guava is being grown in the warm parts of Florida and California. The mango has been fruited in the warmest parts of Florida and California.
PINEAPPLE FIELD AT PALM BEACH, FLA.
PINEAPPLE FIELD AT PALM BEACH, FLA.
Nuts.—The sweet almond of southern Europe has long been tested in America, but nowhere with success except in California, where there are almond orchards of several hundred acres each. The Persian (wrongly called English) walnut is a great success in the richer lands of California, where orchards of majestic trees have been in full bearing for many years. Of our native nuts the pecan is the best of all, and it is about the only one that has so far proved worthy of cultivation. It is found in a wild state in Illinois, Missouri, and Nebraska, and southward to the Gulf of Mexico. The creek and river bottoms suit it best, but it will do very well on almost any rich land. On some of the hammock lands of Florida hundreds of acres are now planted to the pecan. The largest pecan orchard is that of F. A. Swinden, of Brownwood, Texas, which covers over five hundred acres, and is being increased from year to year.
Our native chestnut is of better quality than the foreign kinds, but the nuts are much smaller. The largest are from Japan, some of which are two inches in diameter. Many of these choice kinds have been imported, and others were originated from seeds, which are now being planted in orchards. The best of the European chestnuts have also been imported, and new kindshave been grown here from the nuts. Nearly all of these varieties succeed in America, and many small orchards have been planted. Some have grafted sprouts from our native chestnut stumps and small trees with these improved kinds, and found them to grow and bear abundantly.
The cocoanut is strictly tropical, and can only be grown in the very warmest parts of Florida. It will not endure as low a temperature as the pineapple without injury. As a commercial venture its culture will probably never pay in America, but for ornamental purposes and as an interesting novelty it is already a success from Lake Worth southward. The waving plumes of this giant palm are a source of constant delight to those who are privileged to see them. The huge clusters of nuts are indeed an interesting sight.
Surely we have a great and fruitful country, from the cranberry bogs of arctic Alaska to the waving cocoanut groves of Florida. This century closes and the new one begins with wonderful advances in fruit culture beyond those of a hundred years ago.