62 CITRUS FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



fruit exported from the Mediterranean to America because 

 of the increase in the number of lemons grown at home. 



Lemons were introduced into America at an early date 

 by the Spaniards. The everbearing and rough lemons 

 are in all probability Spanish introductions. The latter 

 variety still grows in a wild state in southern Florida 

 and in different parts of the West Indies. The fruit of 

 these Varieties is of no commercial importance and as a 

 matter of fact nearly all the varieties now cultivated in 

 America Genoa, Lisbon, Villafranca, for instance were 

 introduced quite recently from Europe. 



Previous to 1894 the lemon industry in Florida was 

 of considerable importance, but the severe freeze of that 

 winter greatly reduced the output. Previous to that dis- 

 aster, at least 140,000 boxes of lemons were shipped out 

 of Florida in one season, but the industry has not been 

 built up again, and in the season of 1901-02 but 1,447 were 

 produced. It is doubtful whether the industry will ever 

 again assume the important place which it once held. The 

 lemon tree is quite tender, being more subject to frost 

 than the sweet orange, and in recent years the attention 

 of Florida planters has been directed to the pomelo rather 

 than the lemon. It may be, however, that lemon growing 

 may become of some importance in the extreme southern 

 portion of the State. 



But the success which has attended the culture of the 

 lemon in California is quite remarkable. In the southern 

 and central parts of the State, on the mesas and foothills, 

 the lemon grows and fruits well. The industry there has 

 been placed on a paying basis wherever suitable soil and 

 climatic condition are found, and where sufficient water 

 has been secured. The fruit is of superior quality and has 

 been well received in the American markets. As a result 



