22 [ CITRUS FRUITS 



are met with, here and there, but although usually very 

 productive, they are too full of thorns, and the fruits are 

 usually undersized, or contain too many seeds. However, 

 propagation by seed is always a ready way to obtain 

 new and interesting varieties, which perhaps may be of 

 commercial importance ; but of course all citrus trees are 

 so variable, and so rarely come true to type, that direct 

 propagation from seed is and must remain the pursuit 

 of the amateur gardener. In certain countries it is the 

 practice to grow seedling lemons as grafting and budding 

 stock for all sorts of citrus trees, no doubt on account 

 of their rapid growth, as seedling lemons are often strong 

 enough to be budded in the first or second year of their 

 life. Thus, the rough lemon is largely used as stock in 

 Florida etc. 



The local custom of budding all Citrus trees on 

 seedlings of the common Seville orange presents the 

 great advantage of producing young trees which grow 

 rapidly after budding, come soon to bearing condition, 

 and are altogether of a stronger constitution and not so 

 liable to suffer from gumming and other diseases, as 

 those grown on own roots or budded on seedlings of the 

 common orange or lemon. 



Propagation of citrus trees by cuttings is never 

 resorted to by our gardeners, but in Sicily and Italy, and 

 also in other countries, the citron, the lemon and other 

 citrus trees are often propagated in this way. Cuttings are 

 made from healthy growth not more than two years old, 

 and are planted early in spring in lines in the nursery, 

 the soil having been properly worked and manured. The 

 cuttings are kept constantly moist until they are rooted, 

 and are shaded off by a covering of reeds and dry foliage. 

 After a year or two they are transferred to their destina- 

 tion. The cuttings may be planted directly in site, but then 

 they require considerable attention during the first two 

 or three years, until they become properly established, 

 and it is usual to plant two or three cuttings together 



