MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 115 



It is doubtful whether any insects are beneficial, but the entomology of 

 Indian fruit culture is but fragmentary as yet. 



(1(>.) Lemons are not exported. The large citron can be produced in 

 quantity very cheaply, but, except by dyers for the acid, it is Uttlc used and 

 brings a very low price. 



(17.) The latest edition of my own book is the fullest account available,* 

 but that is superseded by this report, as far as oranges and lemons are 

 concerned. 



B.— FIGS. 



(1.) — (3.) Figs are not dried in India to any considerable extent, as the 

 local consumption absorbs the supply. 



Varieties of figs are not named in India, except with the name of the village 

 they come from, which is not distinctive. The variety widely cultivated 

 in the Deccan is inverted conical, green at the stalk, and gradually deepening 

 to brown at the broad end ; it has alternating stripes of green and brown, and 

 good examples weigh |th lb. 



(4.) The neighbourhood of the village of Khed Shivapur, 14 miles south 

 of Poona, which city stands in north latitude 18° 28', east longitude 74* 10'; 

 altitude of Khed Shivapur about 2,200 feet. Exposure to sun full. 



Land of the orchards is nearly level, but the orchards are on the slope of a 

 range of hills of 3,500 feet altitude. The altitude of the plantations is 2,200. 



Soil and sub-soil. — Poor calcareous loam. Sub-soil, marl, a mixture of lime 

 and clay on disintegrated trap. 



(5.) Temperature averages about 75*, minimum 48°, maximum 100°. 



The village is shut in on the north, east, and west by hills, which keep out 

 hot winds. 



.Rainfall about 50 inches, falling chiefly from June to October. The falling 

 of rain sets the trees growing and determines the ripening of fruit. 



(6.) Irrigation from wells, 2 inches per month from end of October till the 

 fruit is ripe. Cultivators do not usually make special efforts to get sweet fruit, 

 but the small quantity of water given has that effect. 



(7.) Cidtivation. — Ploughing 4 inches or hoeing at end of rainy season. 



(8 ) Fertilizers. — Village sweepings, 50 lbs., well decayed, per tree applied 

 after the crop is gathered. 



(9.) Pruning. — After the tree has been caused to send up 5 or 7 branches 

 from near the base by shortening the shoots sent out by the cutting, little, if 

 any, prunning is given, broken branches are cut out, and such as have gone 

 higher than a man can reach with the hand have the points taken off, and 

 are cut out to the base after all the fruit has been gathered, but the less prun- 

 ing that is necessary the better. 



* Since this was written, Dr. Bonavia's " Cultivated Oranges and Lemons, &c, 

 of India and Ceylon" has been published. 



