114 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1891. 



(9.) Fruit continues to attain full development during a month on each 



"break" of trees that has been started into 

 growth together, and it is picked over at inter- 

 vals of a few days. 



A faint trace of yellow in the skin of the fruit indicates maturity. When 

 fresh from the tree this fruit has a delightful rich piquancy of flavour that is 

 to a great extent lost by being packed up for a few weeks, but the fruit 

 remains in good condition 2 months if not closely rjacked. 



No special curing is given, unless the fruit has been gathered unripe ; in 

 that case close packing with soft hay in a box is sufficient. Such fruit is al- 

 ways inferior. 



In packing, 30 to 40 lbs. weight of oranges are placed in a very sliru basket 

 without any packing, and the lid tied down. None of the fruit is shipped as 

 merchandise. 



(10.) The trees are planted about 12 feet apart each way. 



(11.) Seeds of Citrus medica, a large coarse citron of vigorous habit, are 



sown, and when the stocks are two or three years old are budded. The form 



of budding used is peculiar, and, I think, advantageous in unskilled hands. No 



transverse cut is made in the bark ; having made the vertical cut, the operator 



bends the stems gently towards the side having the cut. This causes the cut 



to gape open, and the bud having been inserted, the stock is released, and 



springs up, closing in the shield of the bud. A bandage consisting of a strip 



of banana stem is then applied. I think the want of the cross cut saves the 



gumming that ensues if the cut is made too deep. Occasionally the sweet 



lime, Citrus limetta, is used as a stock, and it is believed by some to ensure 



more sweetness in the fruit. I have not proved this, and do not think it can 



affect the degree of sweetness. 



(12.) The best varieties are invariably budded. 



Seedling or budded. Seedlings take so long to bear fruit as to be useless 



in practical fruit-growing. 



(13.) The orchards generally measure from 

 Size of orchards. v ' J 



5 to 10 acres. 



(14.) The trees begin to bear at 3 years from 



the bud, carry the heaviest crops between the 6th 



and 10th year, and after the 15th year rapidly decay. 



(15.) An important insect enemy is the caterpillar of Papilio erithronius^ 



which eats up the foliage during June — July. Hand-picking is the chief 



remedy employed. An imdetermined wood-boring insect attacks the trees as 



soon as decay sets in, and is commonly supposed to be a cause of decay. I 



think it is rather a sign of decay. Hot tar poured into its holes kills the 



insect, but does not arrest decay when far advanced. If there is any sound 



wood left, it is advisable to cut back severely, but trees so treated do not fruit 



for 2 or 3 years after the operation. 



