, 1877-11-03

IN one or MS rOmanceS SPEAKS OF the orange
In Florida as if it were indigenous to that
state, inst as another rromancer-Paulding,
we believe-introduces that noble animal,
the horse, as part of the belongings Of the
exlcan nobility, previous to the landing
of Cortez on the soil of Mexico, though
we know that the people OF that country
were astonished at the sight of so strange
an animal, bestIode and so easily manag-
ed by the Spaniards. Deer they were
familiar with, and SO they arrived at the
conlusion-after their first pronptings
OF alarm had passed away, and they had
become aware of the fact of the horse and
the rider being separate entities-that the
former was a species of deer.
But we are dealing with the orange,
and the extent to which it is grown, and
money made out of it in Florida. We
see no reason why a similar industry
should rot be made to flourish in this is
land. We are not acquainted with the
Florida orange; but we presume it 10
somewhat similar to the Cuban fruit, gen.
orally a smaller orange than that Of this
country, ripening to rudy hue, while the
Jamaica orange when ripe, is Of a rich
gold colour. Or, perhaps, it is like the
Louisiana Orange of the New ORLEANS
mafkets-a very large fruit. ripening to a
deep yellow, very sweet but without that
rich syrupy juice and that delicious aroma
that characterize the Jamica orange. The
Cuba Orsnge-indiscsimina'ely called the
Havana orange" inNcw York-is the
tavourite there, because it is the Lbest
known. Were the New Workers
familiar with our larger and richer
fruit, they would undoubtedly give it the
preference. They make the mistake of
suppOsing, however that the smaller the
orange and the thinner the rind, the richer
and more delic0te tFo favour. To them
a large orange with a thick rind is ~associa-
ted with coarsencss, and an uniniti4ted New
Yorker, on being given his choice, would
select a small SiciIlan orange, scarcely lar
ger than a large lime and nearly as sour, in
preference of a large, rough.rin1 orange
from our island Nothing short of actual
experiment can ever convince him that o
large orange with a thick skin can be
fit to eat if q smaller and smoother fruit
is within reach.
The orange, in all, or almost all, its vari-
cites, grows ir this island, without any
cultivation or care. In Florida, it must
be tenderly nursed, | Ike a delicate chilA.
In Florida, the orange is a precious ~ar:icle
Of commerce, to be as strictly guarded a.
gainst depreditions as apples are in Eng
land, or even in New Jersey. What
would be q fortune in Florida is not worth
an old song in Jamaica. There is no
market for the oranges, which rot on the
trees, with the exception Of a few that are
stolen with the full knowledge OF the over
seer {; for who would think of prosecuting
any one for plucking oranges that would
otherwise fall to the ground id would
be lost. This briggs to the consideration
as to whether any means can be devised 10
ship oranges 10 (say) New York, with
something like certainty Of their arriving
in a sound state, after, it may be, q pro.
tracted voyage.
Shippers of oranges and even of more
delicate fruits, may take a hint from the
people of Normandy and Jersey, who ship
immense quantities of their delicious apples
to England, packed in their own leaves.
There is this to be considered, however.
With the apple harvest in those Northern
regions. The trees are about to shed their
leaves, consequent on tue approaching
winter ; therefore, the trees are not injured
by the stripping. In this country. now