THE KUMQUAT. 



( Citrus japonic a. ) 



The Kumquat, which is esteemed by 

 many persons a great delicacy, is the 

 fruit of a low bush. It is a native of 

 Cochin China, or China, and is exten- 

 sively cultivated in Japan, California and 

 Florida. The smooth angular branches 

 bear a dense foliage of dark green leaves. 

 It is a dwarf member of the citrus group, 

 rarely growing to a height of over eight 

 feet, and is closely related to the orange, 

 the lemon and the lime. The tree or 

 bush varies greatly in size, but whether 

 large or small it will produce a plentiful 

 supply of fruits. As an ornamental pot- 

 plant for house decoration it is a beauti- 

 ful evergreen, blooming freely during the 

 spring and early summer. The flowers, 

 which are like those of the orange tree, 

 are small, sweet-scented, white, and either 

 clustered or solitary in the axils of the 

 leaves. The fruits are orange-colored, 

 and in form either ovate, oblong or 

 spherical. The transverse section of the 

 fruit very closely resembles that of the 

 orange and shows either five or six cells 



and quite large seeds. The pulp is sour 

 and slightly bitter, while the rind is sweet 

 and somewhat aromatic. Both rind and 

 pulp are eaten and the combination of 

 flavor and taste are greatly admired by 

 many persons. 



Two varieties of Kumquats are grown 

 in the United States ; the Marumi, or 

 round Kumquats and the Nagami, or the 

 oval or oblong forms. The trees that 

 bear the round variety are slightly thorny 

 and the fruits vary from about three- 

 fourths to one and one-quarter inches in 

 diameter. The oval or oblong forms are 

 borne by trees without thorns and have 

 a diameter of from three-fourths to one 

 inch and a length varying from one and 

 one-fourth to two inches. These are 

 more highly esteemed than are the round 

 fruits. 



Though eaten while fresh, this fruit is 

 extensively used in making a preserve 

 and marmalade. It is also candied and 

 is used as a flavor in confectionery. 



HINTS OF SPRING. 



Word from the wizard brethren of the wold. 



Wise, wary couriers of little fame. 

 Repeated in their by-ways manifold 



Sets wood and swamp aflame. 



Word from the inner fastness of the wood 



Rouses, betimes, the sleepers in the glen ; 

 News from old haunts, far heard yet understood, 



Recalls the birds again. 



Tliere is a folk-meet of the ferns beneath 



The last year's leaves ; and there's a whispering 



Close to the throbbing bosom of the heath 

 That hath a hint of Spring. 



— Frank Walcott Hutt. 



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