RANGE

The well-known fruit of the orange tree, the Citrus aurnntium of botanists. India and China are the native countries of the orange; and the Portuguese are entitled to the honour of having transferred the plant to other countries. The principal varieties of the orange tree are the orange, the lime, the lemon, and the citron, fruits which have now become so common as to give a tropical character to the de ert. The orange is not considered to have been grown in Europe till the 14th century; and in England lh<y have been cultivated in conservatories since 1492. They are propagated either by seeds, by cuttings, by layers, by grafting, or by inoculation; but the plants grown from seeds require so long to come to perfection that they are seldom so propagated in England. Oranges are imported into tlits country in chests and boxes packed separately in paper. The best are brought from the Azores and Spain; but very good ones also come from Portugal. Italy, Malta, and other places. The orange trade carried on by this country is of considerable value and Importance. Not only is the fruit held in high estimation, but, from the extreme pro- [s. 869]