99 

 CITRUS FRUITS IN HAWAII. 



Under the above title, Mr. J. E. Higgins, Horticulturist, Ha- 

 waii Agricultural Experiment Station, contributes a valuable ar- 

 ticle to our local literature. The introductory paragraphs of the 

 bulletin are here given : 



"Citrus fruits were introduced into Hawaii more than a century 

 ago. In the record of Vancouver's voyages it is recorded that in 

 the year 1792 that explorer gave to one of the Hawaiian chiefs in 

 Kona "some vine and orange plants," besides other valuable 

 plants and seeds. A few days later ''some orange and lemon 

 plants that were in a flourishing state," were landed on the 

 Island of Niihau. These oranges were probably from Tahitian 

 seed, since Vancouver sailed from Tahiti to these islands and 

 records having received large supplies from the natives before his 

 departure. Even earlier attempts at the introduction of the 

 orange and the lime are reported, but it is difficult to say which of 

 the efforts was first successful. Some of the oldest orange trees 

 in the islands are said to have been in a flourishing condition a 

 few years ago at the residence of the late Thomas Brown, Esq., 

 on Kauai. 



Oranges, lemons, limes and pomelos have all found a congenial 

 home in Hawaii. Indeed, the orange is sometimes thought of by 

 the casual observer as being indigenous, so eminently suitable 

 have the soil and climate proved to be. 



When properly cared for and fertilized some of the native 

 orange trees produce fruits unexcelled in point of flavor and 

 juiciness, bearing little resemblance to the very indifferent speci- 

 mens often found in the markets, which have been picked green, 

 dumped into casks without curing, and sent into the market. 



These facts are in striking contrast with the statistics, showing 

 that between $50,000 and $60,000 worth of citrus fruits were im- 

 ported into Honolulu alone in the year ended January 27, 1905. 

 Considerable quantities have also arrived at the ports of Hilo 

 and Mahukona direct from San Francisco. These circumstances 

 have seemed to make it desirable to give a statement of common 

 practices in citrus culture, with special reference to their applica- 

 tion to Hawaiian conditions." 



A comprehensive description of the cultivation of the orange 

 then follows, special attention being given to budding and graft- 



