Orange And Lemon Trees

Both Orange and Lemon trees can be easily raised by sowing the seeds in

good, rich soil, and after the seedlings become of sufficient size, a

foot to fifteen inches high, they should be budded or grafted, otherwise

blossoms and fruit cannot be expected. In the tropical climes, where

these fruits are grown, there are varieties that spring up from the

seeds of sweet oranges, called naturals; these yield a fruit that is

edible, but is of an insipid taste. In no case can we obtain edible

fruit of either Oranges or Lemons, budded or unbudded, in northern

climates. The best time to bud these trees is when the seedlings are

about a year old. They can be budded in the same manner as other trees,

and as a rule, the buds take readily if the stock is in the right

condition. Some graft them, but buds take better than grafts, and grow

more rapidly. If the budding is successful, and the bud looks fresh and

green in two weeks after it has been inserted, the union has taken

place. The stock may then be cut off within two inches of the bud, and

after the bud has started to grow, cut the stub still lower down, close

to the bud. One bud in each stock is better than three or four. The soil

best adapted to these trees is a rich, mucky loam. They should have

plenty of pot room when growing, and, if possible, a warm, moist

atmosphere.