82 



did not plant only one seed in each hole. I had recently dug 140 

 chains of trenches 18 x 18 in., and the loose earth was at the side of 

 the trenches, clay land. I planted on all those ridges, and ^ acre of 

 same clay land thoroughly forked, ^ acre of gravelly land. I planted 

 on hills dug like sweet potato hills, 2ft. 6in. apart, and the balance I 

 planted in dry land. I had three lifts of the fork in each hole, each lift 

 raising the earth and loosening it, giving a diameter of about 18 in. loose 

 earth and two seeds planted in the centre of each. I covered all seeds 

 about an in La'er on I will let you have results. The seeds planted 

 on Friday have geiminated. Seeds should be soaked not less than 12 

 hours." 



(( 



THE KUMQUAT" (Citrus japonica). 



By George Loutrel Lucas. 



This member of the Citrus family, commonly called 'i Kumquat,' 

 is a native of Japan, where it is known as " Kin-Kan" which means 

 " Gold Orange ;" " Kumquat" beinjj; Chinese for the same name. 

 In Japan it is exclusively grown upon stocks of Citrus trifo- 

 liata, sometimes attaining a height of 12 feet. It produces abun- 

 dantly a small and very handsome deep yellow fruit which is eaten 

 entire, rind and all, in the fresh state or preserved. Crystallised or 

 preserved the Kumquat makes a most delicious confection, and wher- 

 ever known is very popular. 



The Kumquat grows equally well budded upon wild lemon stock, 

 and Citrus trifoliata stock, the latter being preferred by most growers. 



This desirable fruit has not received the attention in Jamaica that 

 it deserves, and with the exception of a few trees growing near " Bog 

 Walk," which were imported from Florida a few years ago, no attempt 

 has been made to foster an industry that would assist in adding wealth 

 to the island. Kumquat trees grow well and produce an abundance 

 of fruit with me [near Constant Spring], and there is no doubt in my 

 mind that this can be made a profitable crop by those who care to take 

 the trouble to properly cultivate the trees. 



The usual dis ance f^r planting is 12 feet by 12 feet, even 10 feet 

 apart would not be too close; and being cultivated exactly like an 

 orange grove, i.e, — the ground thoroughly worked and kept mellow 

 and free from weeds and grass, adding a little commercial fertilizer 

 twice a year to each tree, or sowing cow-peas between the trees every 

 six months and lightly turning them under before the plants flower, will 

 enrich the soil and stimulate the trees in producing heavy crops of fruit. 



The fruit can either be preserved hern in Jamaica, or it can be ship- 

 ped to England where the lar^e preserving factories would gladly pur- 

 chase it in large quantities. 



There are two varieties of this fruit, the oblong (Nagami) and the 

 round (Marumi), the former being about 1^ inches long by one inch in 

 diameter, deep orange-yellow rind, sweet and spicy, pulp tender and 

 agreeably acid ; the tree handsome with slender branches, without 

 thorns, leaves small, narrow, oval, or almost lanceolate ; fruits pro- 

 duced freely 



The " jVJarumi" differs but slightly, except in size and shape of 

 the fruit. 



