392 CALIFORNIA FRUITS I HOW TO GROW THEM 



THE CITRON 



This fruit (Citrus medico, cedra) is little grown in California, 

 although it is quite hardy and could be produced over a large area. 

 The only use for the fruit, which resembles a monstrous lemon, is in 

 its candied rind, and no one has deemed it worth while to push com- 

 petition with the imported candied citron, though very fine experi- 

 mental lots have been produced, and the interest of the fruit-preserving 

 establishments in the product recurs periodically. There have been col- 

 lections of citron trees imported from the Mediterranean region by the 

 United States Department of Agriculture planted at several points in 

 southern California. As yet no considerable product has been reached. 

 There is, however, no cessation of interest, and experimental planting 

 continues, with a prospect of satisfactory attainment ere long. Samples 

 of the candied article have been approved by experts as very satis- 

 factory. 



An outline for the preparation of candied citron is as follows : The 

 fruit, before assuming 1 a yellow color, and also when bright yellow, is 

 picked and placed in barrels filled with brine, and left for at least a 

 month. The brine is renewed several times, and the fruit allowed to 

 remain in it until required for use, often for a period of four or five 

 months. When the citrons are to be candied they are taken from the 

 barrels and boiled in fresh water to soften them. They are then cut 

 into halves, the seed and pulp are removed, and the fruit is again im- 

 mersed in cold water, soon becoming of a greenish color. After this it 

 is placed in large earthen jars, covered with hot syrup, and allowed to 

 stand about three weeks. During this time the strength of the syrup 

 is gradually increased. The fruit is then put into boilers with crystal- 

 lized sugar dissolved in a small quantity of water, and cooked; then 

 allowed to cool, and boiled again until it will take up no more sugar. 

 It is then dried and packed in wooden boxes. 



ORNAMENTAL CITRUS SPECIES 



There are grown in this State for curiosity or ornament various 

 minor citrus species, including the Bergamot and the dwarf ornamental 

 sorts from Asia. There are, of course, the ornamental species grown 

 by florists for their fragrant bloom. 



