CITRUS. 



ORIGIN OF If, as many predict, the citrus industry assumes 



THE LOCAL large proportions in East Africa, it will be interest- 

 INDUSTRY. ing to recall that it developed from very small 



beginnings. Impressed by what appeared to be 

 favourable soil and climatic conditions, some of the 

 earliest settlers in the Highlands imported small 

 quantities of orange, lime and lemon plants from 

 South Africa and elsewhere in the hope of adding 

 variety to the fruit obtainable in the country, and it 

 is out of this humble origin that the citrus industry 

 has sprung. The trees grew so rapidly and fruited 

 so heavily that, inevitably, the possibilities of grow- 

 ing citrus on a commercial scale began to be con- 

 sidered, and had it not been for the outbreak of war 

 the acreage under citrus would have been increased 

 many fold during the past three years. 



FAVODRABLH It is Only during the present year that the first 



NATURAL citrus plant in East Africa started operations, so it 



CONDITIONS. will be seen that the industry is still in its infancy. 

 The figures quoted in this article are based on the 

 work of the factory in question, and should not be 

 taken as final. Further experience and experi- 

 ment are necessary to show whether they cannot 

 be improved on. One can, however, speak 

 definitely on certain points. For instance, there 

 can be no question as to the soil and climate of 

 portions of the East African Highlands being suited 

 to citrus. The trees make at least as good growth 

 here as they do in the West Indies. Yields are as 

 heavy, and the percentage of oils and acids is as high. 

 Diseases and pests are few, and can be coped with. 

 These are the essential factors to success. Having 

 these, capital and efficient management only are 

 necessary to make the industry commercially sound. 



I'REFERENCE Unlike the West Indies, where the lime is 



FOR THE chiefly grown. East African conditions and methods 



LEMON. seem to decide in favour of the lemon, and although 



lime plantations have been laid down it is not unlikely 

 that greater attention will be paid to the lemon in 

 future. The lime being a surface feeder, it is very 

 difficult to keep a plantation clean, as if cultivators 

 are used the minute surface roots which play such 

 an important part in feeding the plant are broken, 

 Avith resultant injury to the plants; while the expense 



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