652 THE LIME. 



carriage and goes through well, and there is no reason why, 

 when better known, it should not become more popular in 

 northern markets. Its early and wonderfully abundant bear- 

 ing, sturdy indifference to neglect, and freedom from disease 

 make it easier grown than any other citrus. It flourishes ad- 

 mirably in Southern Florida. 



Propagation. The most common mode of propagation is 

 from seed, which, to prevent deterioration, should be taken 

 from the best fruit. It nearly always comes true to kind and 

 bears in three or four years. In cooler latitudes, near its 

 northern limit, it is budded at the surface of the ground, on 

 any hardy orange-stock which will retard the too active flow 

 of sap in winter, and make it more resistant. The trees can 

 be planted much closer than the orange. 



The most common is a small variety, resembling a minia- 

 ture lemon, called the Mexican, Florida, or West Indian lime. 

 Skin very thin and smooth; juice abundant, highly aromatic, 

 rich, acid, and pleasant. The Persian and Tahiti are vigorous 

 growers and not very thorny. Fruit excellent and nearly as 

 large as a lemon. Tree spreading, with coarser foliage. 



VARIETIES. 



French. (False Lemon.) Grown for many years in Florida and 

 the West Indies. This is more correctly a lime. Skin thick, 

 very warty and uneven, and loosely adhering. Shape resembling 

 a King orange, but smaller, with a protuberance at the blossom 

 end. Color deep yellow. Pulp agreeably acid, and segments 

 divide as easily as those of Citrus nobilis. The Minorcan resi- 

 dents of Florida esteem it above all others for making punch, but 

 it has no commercial value. It is of very vigorous growth and 

 in great demand as a stock upon which to bud varieties of oranges 

 and lemons. On this stock the Navel orange, usually a poor 

 bearer, produces abundant crops. 



Imperial. Very large, oval, of good quality. Reported as un- 

 usually hardy. 



Kurna, Galgal, Turanj, and other East Indian limes have a very 

 thin spongy rind, with little pulp, and may be considered citrons 

 rather than limes. 



A variety imported into Florida from South Africa, by Colonel 

 Church, of Orlando, and called "Forbidden Fruit," is really a 

 lime of enormous size, resembling a citron in appearance, but 

 thin-skinned and full of strongly acid juice. 



Mexican. Medium large, oval, light yellow, good. The common 

 variety in California. 



Rangpur. (Mandarin Lime.) Closely resembles a Mandarin 

 orange in appearance, with a strong acid juice of distinct flavor 

 India. 



