254 Bulletin 89 



pected to approach this variety in sweetness during fall ; however, 

 they show a remarkably high percentage of sugar for the season. 

 The acidity and juice content of the Eureka and Lisbon varieties 

 of lemon are both high — as much so as could be desired in this 

 fruit. 



In summing up the results of both the physical and chemical 

 analyses of the fruits in question it can be said that the excellent 

 flavor, abundant juice, fine texture of flesh, thinness of rind, high 

 color, earliness of maturity and freedom from blemishes combine 

 to give it a distinctive and unparalleled quality, presenting most 

 clearly a unique and enviable advantage which the Yuma Mesa 

 possesses as a commercial citrus district. 



GENERAL ADAPTATION OF VARIETIES OF CITRUS TO 

 THE YUMA MESA 



A\'hile there is much room for experimentation in the mattei 

 of varieties of citrus best suited to the Yuma Mesa, several of the 

 standard varieties have been grown for a number of years and 

 have already demonstrated their adaptability to the conditions 

 found in this district. Outstanding facts regarding these varieties 

 are as follows : 



ORANGES 



The Washington Navel, Valencia, and Mediterranean varieties 

 have all produced satisfactory crops on the Mesa and could be 

 relied upon under proper methods of culture and irrigation to give 

 good returns ; but of the three the Washington Navel appears to 

 offer the greatest promise to the commercial grower. Its early 

 shipping season, beginning in the first part of November, allows 

 this variety to be placed on the market in advance of fruit from 

 other citrus districts. The bulk of the crop could be marketed just 

 previous to the holiday season when citrus fruits are in greatest 

 demand. These facts, together with the high quality and general 

 popularity of the Navel, furnish the grower the very best ad- 

 v^antages of market, and consec[uently insure for him the very 

 highest prices. This variety has been known to produce an aver- 

 age of from five to nine boxes per tree in the old orchard, and 

 during the present season there are a number of individual trees 

 that are giving equally good yields. Another advantage of the 

 Navel is its early bearing habit, as much as 16 finely formed fruit 

 having been produced on two-year-old trees on the Mesa. See 

 Frontispiece. The \'alencia varict\- in the old orchard is carrying 



