Oranges

Ripe oranges should be stored in a cool, dry place with a temperature never much above 40° Fahr. and never falling to the freezing point. If subjected to careful sort ing beforehand and properly crated, they will at that temperature generally remain sound for from eight to twelve For a moderate length of time, they will stand warmth up to 80° or Fahr., but anything beyond that will dry and shrivel them. In warm weather, a plentiful supply of fresh air is essential to their proper keeping, whether in transportation or in store or home. Wrapping in soft paper and packing in sawdust is recommended. The thin-skinned varieties are especially liable to absorb odors, so proximity to strong smelling articles should be avoided.

Oranges received in a green state may be ripened in a temperature of 70° to 75° Fahr. While ripening, it is well to cover the boxes with burlap soaked in water.

Oranges are probably the most wholesome and useful of all the sub-acid fruits. Their juice differs from that of the lemon chiefly in containing less citric acid and more sugar. Their free and regular consumption is beneficial to nearly everyone and with many persons they are a real specific for ill -health based on digestive disorders.

A point to be remembered by the consumer is that many a choice fruit is concealed in a mottled-looking skin! Weight for size, ripeness and soundness, are the principal points for consideration. All of these may be found equally in those of "fancy" and those of less pleasing appearance. Both "Blights" and "Russets" may be plucked from the same tree and under the skin will average exactly the same in quality. The russet color is caused by the puncturing of the rind by a tiny insect known as the Rust Mite, which permits the oil of the rind to exude—but the mite does not touch nor _affect the fruit pulp. "Golden Russets" are those attacked later or in less degree. For ordinary family purposes it is not necessary to confine oneself to the more expensive fruits, classed as "fancy" because of their, handsome exteriors.

Seville Orange, Bigarade Orange, Sour Orange.

The foregoing article dealt with the ordinary Sweet Orange, the one with which the general public is almost exclusively familiar. - The first orange known to civilization was, however, the Seville or Sour Orange, the French Bigarade, which was brought into Spain by the Moors early in the eighth century, nearly seven hundred years before the Sweet Orange made its appear ance .in Europe.

The Seville Orange tree is smaller than that bearing the Sweet Orange, more inclined to be spiney and with leaves more nearly elliptical in shape. The oil cells of

the fruit are concave and both the pulp and rind are heavier and coarser.

Unless very ripe and considerably sweetened, the Seville orange is not to the average palate a pleasing fruit to be eaten raw, but it is grown very largely through out Southern Eufope, and to some extent here, for use preserved and in liqueurs, per fumery, etc.

In the preserved form it is best known as Marmalade (which see), but great quan tities of the green fruit are also preserved and candied whole. The peels, by distilla tion, furnish the characteristic principle of Cu racoa and are similarly utilized for many other liqueurs, flavoring syrups, etc., and Medicinally as a stomachic. Yeroli, or Orange Flower Oil, and Orange Flower Water, produced in France in enormous quantities for perfumery, soap manufacture, syrups, liqueurs, etc., are made from the blossoms and, lesser grades, from the leaves and small twigs.

The greater part of the commercial supply of orange flowers is obtained from the especially developed variety known in France as Le Bouquetier, or "Nosegay Plant," which furnishes also the "orange blossoms" of the European florists. The flowers are similar to those of the Sweet Orange, but in Le Bouquetier they grow in thick clusters at the end of the branches. There are some varieties with double blossoms and others with myrtle and purplish-white flowers.

The practice of wearing orange blossoms by brides is derived from the Saracens, among whom it was regarded as emblematic of happiness and prosperity.

South America is also important as a source of orange-flower and leaf essence— in Paraguay, for example, the wild groves are dotted with numerous small establish ments devoted to the industry. In addition to its commercial uses, the extract is employed locally as a healing ointment and the dried flowers are made into a gently stimulating beverage. In some places, a "Tea" brewed from the leaves is considered efficacious in fever cases.

The Spaniards brought the Seville Orange to Florida and there it found a soil and climate so well suited to its requirements that wild groves were soon to be found all over the State—to such an extent, indeed, that many authorities held for a long time that the tree must be native to the country. The wild groves have, however, almost entirely disappeared—many of them were killed by the severe freezing spells of a few decades ago, and a majority of the remainder have been budded to the Sweet variety.

The Sour-Sweet orange is merely a local variety or adaptation of the Seville.