FRUITS FROM THE TROPICS 289 



fruits. But all varieties of oranges, for exam- 

 ple, differ quite radically from any variety of 

 lemons, and the seeds of the orange will not 

 produce the lemon, or vice versa, however widely 

 the progeny may differ from the parent form 

 within the limits of specific variation. 



ATTEMPTS TO PRODUCE A HARDY ORANGE 



My attempts to cultivate the citrus fruits date 

 back about a third of a century. 



I pursued the investigation actively for a time, 

 securing everything that was to be had, includ- 

 ing the small Japanese variety called the Kum- 

 quat, or Kinkan, Citrus japonica. This is a 

 small, limelike fruit produced in amazing abun- 

 dance, having acid flesh but a skin with sweet, 

 pleasant, orange flavor. 



Wild, though not always native oranges were 

 sent me also from central Africa, Australia, and 

 South America, and the best cultivated varieties 

 from Burmah, Ceylon, and various less distant 

 regions. 



The object primarily in view was the pro- 

 duction of a hardy orange; one that would 

 grow in northern California, and in regions 

 of the eastern United States well to the north 

 of the present limits of growth of this tender 

 fruit. 



Vol. 3 Bur. J 



