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OF CITRUS FRUITS |
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The
region where the Three Yangtze Gorges are located is one of China's
citrus fruit producing area. Counted from the time when Qu
Yuan's Ode to the Orange Tree was written, it is clear that this
region began to grow oranges and tangerines as early as 2,000-odd
years ago. |
In
terms of climate and soil, the Three Gorges region is most suited
to the cultivation of citrus trees. The Daba Mountains to the north
and the towering ranges within the region itself form natural barriers
against the south moving cold currents, creating a warm and humid
environment in the locality. Mean annual temperature is 18'C., the
lowest January mercury reading being 7'C., and sunshine time is
1,500 hours every year. Frost and snow are rare in the gorges region
where frozen ground is seldom known. While citrus trees in other
places are hit by the cold currents, those in this region go untouched.
Spring here is favored by fewer cloudy and rainy days, allowing
for sufficient sunshine that helps the citrus trees to bear fruit.
In mid-summer, local waterways serve as temperature regulators,
and mountains help stave off the scorching sun beams.
Autumn weather featuring clear skies and freshening breeze is conducive
to the photosynthesis and coloring of the fruit.
All these favorable conditions join to shorten the growth period
by half a month or so.
Oranges and tangerines of the region are of high quality, and their
yield can reach 250 kilograms per tree. |
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Harvest |
The
Three Gorges region has vast expanses of open ground with gentle terrain
and thick and fertile earth. This despite the stretches of mountainous
land devoid of vegetation. The three broad valleys-the Daxi-Wushan,
the Guandukou-Zigui,
and the Miaohe-Nantuo and a number of other pieces of level, open
land, totaling more than 100 kilometers in length, are traditional
citrus suppliers.
Thanks to the newly readjusted rural policy of the government, citrus
production has grown markedly in recent years. Some counties report
an annual harvest of 10-15 million kilograms. Together with the majestic
Three Gorges, the groves of heavily fruit-laden trees add much to
the autumn scene in the region. |
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