CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. 95 



Hume gives sixteen varieties, only two of which, I think, are much 

 grown in California. These are the Triumph and Marsh's Seedless. I 

 have them both, and we prize them greatly. Except for the presence 

 of seeds, I should give the Triumph the preference. I believe that in 

 the near future the pomelo will be one of our standard fruits, which 

 will be grown at a substantial profit. It has been claimed that pomelo 

 seedlings are deep-rooted and so superior. This claim lacks proof, how- 

 ever. The large size of the seeds possibly recommends them. 



The shaddock (Fig. 65) is a great, over grown variety, bitter and of 

 no commercial importance. The fruit is a huge jumbo of citrus fruits. 

 It is curiously interesting, and the tree has value for ornamental pur- 

 poses. 



Citrus japonica Thumb. 



The kumquat is, like the Mandarin, a shrub from four to ten feet 

 high, with branches that bear small thorns, or they may be thornless. 

 The fruit is small, often in clusters. It is relished and prized for the 

 table because of its sweet edible pulp and fine appearance. Except 

 for decorative purposes, however, it is of slight importance. Its deep 

 green foliage and small size make it very desirable for pot culture. 



Citrus medica Linn. 



This species includes citron, lemon and lime. We find here both 

 shrubs and rather small trees; though unpruned, they may reach 

 goodly proportions, of spreading form, foliage light green, flowers 

 tinged with red, fruits spherical or oblong, often mammalated. 



Variety genuiana Linn. (Citron.) 



The citron (Fig. 66) is one of the oldest of fruits, dating back to 

 very ancient times. The trees are about the size of the kumquat; the 

 branches are scraggly and bear thorns; the leaves are very long and 

 the fruit large, bitter, unappetizing, with a very rough rind. It is of 

 principal importance in that the rind when candied is used in pastries 

 and confections. It is very little grown either in Florida or in Cali- 

 fornia and is especially sensitive to cold. It could doubtless be grown 

 in favored localities in California and Florida, but it is not likely to 

 become of any commercial importance for long years, for the cheaper 

 labor of Europe would make it an unprofitable crop in our country. 



Variety limon Linn. 



The lemon is a small spreading tree with foliage light green, leaves 

 crenate or serrate, with twigs often quite thorny; fruits spherical to 

 oval or oblong, usually mammalate; the rind is thin and smooth. The 

 tree is a perpetual bloomer, so that fruit in all stages of development 



