They are having the same discussion over clean culture or grass culture for orange trees that we in the North once had over our orchards. They will see, as we have had to learn, that it is a broad question, and that when we get to the extremes both or either may be right.

In grass culture we encourage the feeding roots near the surface, which is a great gain; we keep the hot sun from raising the temperature of the earth above 8o°, which is also a great gain; and another great gain is that we keep the frost from penetrating deeply in winter time. Continual hoeing or plowing destroys innumerable surface roots and costs for extra labor, which even a "hoed crop" scarcely compensates. Grass, on the other hand, requires little care but cutting and curing.

But the objections are that when there are two crops on the same ground there are two sets of growing things clamoring for food and drink. In a very dry time an orchard in grass is much more likely to suffer for want of moisture; and, unless the soil is rich, the grass, competing for food with the tree, may induce starvation. Thus we see that the question is wholly a general one, and has to be governed in a great measure by the circumstances in each case.

In orange growing countries it may be difficult to have grass, but other vegetation may come into the question. At any rate, the general question of clean culture of orange trees must be governed by the same general considerations as influence the decisions in Northern orchards.