J80 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Varieties. 

 By far the most important of all the varieties of citrus grown in Japan is 

 the Oonshu, or Satsuma orange, the area devoted to this variety, according to 

 the government census, being approximately 52,300 acres. The fruit produced, 

 amounting to approximately 165,000 tons per year, represents in value practi- 

 cally nine-tenths of the entire citrus product of the empire. Under normal 

 conditions the price secured by the grower is from three-fourths of a cent to 

 one cent per pound, sales always being made on the basis of weight. 



Fig. 124. Citrus orchards In Japan 

 showing the terraced arrangement on the 

 hillsides. (Original.) 



The fruit is of medium size, very deeply colored and practically seedless. 

 The skin is comparatively thin and very loose, having a strong tendency 

 towards puffing. Because of this loose skin the shipping qualities are rather 

 poor as compared with the California varieties. The fruit is very juicy and 

 its flavor excellent, it being somewhat sweeter than the Navel orange. 



The Navel orange is a comparatively recent importation into Japan, the first 

 trees being started about 1900, and consequently only a few have as yet reached 

 their full bearing capacity. According to the 1915 census, there were about 

 5,000 acres planted to this fruit. Indications are, however, that this will in time 

 come to be one of the leading varieties in Japan, especially for export. 



The Natsumikan, or Japanese pomelo, is quite extensively grown, there being 

 approximately 12,000 acres. This is a fruit somewhat similar in appearance to 

 the California pomelo, though somewhat smaller and slightly flattened at the 

 ■ends. The flavor, however, is quite distinctive and is considered by many 

 people as superior to that of the California product. One point very much in 

 its favor in Japan is the comparative freedom from injury by citrus canker. 



Local Consumption. 

 The consumption of citrus fruits by the Japanese people has not been great 

 in the past because of their being considered largely as luxuries and also 

 because of a general dislike of any sweet fruit, a crisp fruit with a rather tart 

 flavor being much preferred. This is shown in the case of the Japanese pear, 

 which is very crisp and juicy and. to a foreigner, almost entirely devoid of 

 flavor. Local consumption of oranges, however, is increasing quite rapidly and 

 will undoubtedly result in more extensive production in years to come. 



