The new settlers used these groves to start the commercial orange industry. The orange was introduced to California during the gold rush of 1849. The bud becomes a new tree producing the fruit that was budded onto the stock. Only the trees producing the highest quality fruit are used to make the slips for budding. Orange is the leading fruit crop in the United States and second in the world behind grapes.
Oranges are also a source of potassium, thiamin and calcium.