THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



CALIFORNIA STATE COMMISSION OF HORTICULTURE 

 Vol. V. July, 1916. No. 7 



CALIFORNIA GRAPEFRUIT.* 



By A. D. ShameLj Physiologist, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Riverside, Cal. 



The poor reputation of California grapefruit as a whole, particularly 

 in many eastern markets, has led many people to doubt the advisability 

 of any attempt to grow, or, at any rate, extend the culture of this crop 

 commercially in California. Amongst the causes for this condition, 

 three of special importance may be mentioned : first, the planting of 

 inferior varieties or those not suitable for California conditions ; second, 

 the planting of graptfruit trees on soils and under otlier conditions 

 not adapted to the production of the best quality of fruit; and, third, 

 the attempt to market the fruit before it is ripe. 



The early plantings of grapefruit in California, were of Florida 

 varieties which were selected without much knowledge of their adapta- 

 bility to California conditions. It is only in recent years that any real 

 knowledge has been developed of the comparative value of several 

 varieties for this state. Of the varieties fruited so far, one, the Marsh 

 Seedless, stands out clearly as particularly adapted for California con- 

 ditions and is of genuine commercial value. 



It is becoming more and more evident that the grapefruit trees 

 planted on rather light, porous and sandy soils produce fruit of superior 



Fig. 76. — Blossom end and side view of standard type of Marsli Seedless grape- 

 fruit. Reduced. (Original.) 



commercial quality, color, and texture of rind to those planted on the 

 heavier clay soils. That there is a relation between the character of 

 soil and the commercial quality of the fruit can hardly be doubted. 



•Address before the Special Citrus Convention, San Bernardino, Cal., February, 

 1916. 



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