•II li; MONTHLY BUIJiETIN. 249 



PRUNING. 



The prim-iple ui' [)niniii^' grapcri nit trees is nut i'uUy settled. So far 

 as the writer's ol)servalioiis have gone, the best method of prnning for 

 \()uiig trees is to lay the foundation for strong tops by careful heading, 

 not allowing' all of the main branches to arise at one point, and ])y some 

 careful thinning of the new growth from time to time. It is probably a 

 good plan to cut out most of the distinctly marked sucker growth and 

 when necessary to remove the dead branches. When the period of 

 maximum production liegins to wane, it now seems probable that it may 

 l)e best to cut otf the old tops and grow new ones; in other words, renew 

 the trees. If the type of tree and fruit are not exactly desirable, the 

 time of tree renewal is the proper period for topworking by rebudding, 

 so Dial llie new tops will l)e produced from buds instead of Cr-oiii sprouts. 



OUTLOOK. 



As a whole it appears to the writer that there is cstal)lished a good 

 foundation for the development of an important California grapefruit 

 industry. If the crop as a whole can be brought to a uniform standard 

 of I'ipi'iiess and quality before marketing, it is pro])al)le that a superior 

 reputation for quality can be established for this fruit in many markets. 

 The Avriter believes that the best type of California jMarsh Seedless 

 grapefruit, grown on suitable soil and under proper climatic and cul- 

 tural conditions, is of the highest quality and value. Without exception 

 so far, all visitors from many parts of the world who have tested the 

 fully ripened fruit in our performance record plots from the standard 

 type ]Marsli Seedless trees, have expressed their opinion that no better 

 grapefruit is grown or has been tried in their experience. 



In Vergil's' time citrus fruits were called citrons. The curative 

 powers of these fruits for asthma and poisons were celebrated by him 

 two thousand years ago as follows : 



"The Median fields rich citron fruits produce, 



The' harsh the taste, and clammy be the juice; 



Blest antidote ! which when in evil hour. 



The step-dame mixes herbs of pois'nous power, 



And crowns the bowl with many a mutter 'd spell. 



Will from the veins the direful draught expel. 



Large is the trunk, and laurel-like its frame. 



And 'twere a laurel, were its scent the same: 



Its lasting leaf each roaring blast defies, 



Tenacious of the stem its flow 'rets rise ; 



Hence a more wholesome breath the Medes receive. 



And of their sires the lab 'ring lungs relieve." 



'Vergil, Georgic, lb. ii-v. 126-135. 



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