46 [ THE COMMON ORANGE 



taring tauuali, taring ta Portugal}. The tree is large, 

 with dark green foliage, more or less curled and wavy 

 along the midrib. The fruit is large, usually more less 

 egg-shaped, but sometimes round, and even spheroidal 

 like an ordinary orange. The peel is usually thick 

 and uneven. The pulp contains few seeds, is very 

 juicy and of good flavour. This is probably the original 

 form introduced during the rule of the Order of St. 

 John, towards the close of the i6th century. The fruit 

 is not of good keeping quality, being prone to drop off 

 soon after reaching maturity. It is no longer propagated 

 as a distinct variety. 



4. The MALTA EGG-ORANGE. (M.= taring tmt, 

 taring fin]. This is probably an improved form of the 

 preceding, created by careful selection in budding. The 

 tree is large, fairly productive, and perfectly thornless, 

 with thick dark green leathery foliage, curiously curled 

 or wavy. Fruit large, egg-shaped or elliptical, with 

 rather thin peel, somewhat rough to the touch. The 

 pulp is juicy and of a refined flavour, with a soft and 

 tender rag. The seeds are few, often limited to one 

 only, and" occasionally the fruit is quite seedless. This 

 is one of the earliest oranges to come to maturity, 

 but the fruit does not keep well on the tree. It is a good 

 commercial orange, fetches a good price, and is a good 

 shipper when packed not later than the first week of 

 January. 



5. The SMOOTH-SKINNED EGG-ORANGE (\A. taring 

 tuil tat ghafsa}. It is probably a sport obtained by 

 budding from the Malta egg-orange, and developes its 

 best qualities in full sunshine. The tree is middling in 

 size, but sometimes attains the full size of an orange, 

 and under good cultivation it is very productive. The 

 foliage is similar to that of the preceding variety, but is 

 small and less fleshy. The fruit is often paired or in 

 small clusters, and is rather small or middling, uniformly 

 elliptical. The peel is very thin, and is usually smooth 



