INTRODUCED PLANTS AND AXLMALS. 265 



chiefs of Kona a number of valuable seeds and "sonic vine and orange plants." 

 A few days later he left some "orange and lemon plants" on the island of 

 Niihau. It is supposed that these plants were the parents of the famous russet 

 Kona oranges that are such general favorites among islanders. On Molokai, far 

 back in the mountains, a few years ago I found an old orange grove in a fairly 

 thrifty state, in which some of the trees were two feet in diameter at tlie lu-iglit 

 of my shoulder. Everything about them indicated their great age, and it is 

 highly probable that this grove antidates the introduction of the plants by 

 Vancouver. 



Oranges, lemons,-*^ limes -^ and the grape fruit, pomelo or shaddock,-- have 

 all found an equally congenial home here, and there are many Hawaiian varie- 

 ties, and seedlings that lack names but that, nevertheless, are excellent and point 

 to the fact that our soil is well adopted to their growth and culture. As is to 

 be expected, the citrus fruits are here, as elsewhere, subject to a number of 

 pests. I\Iany of them are in an unchecked state and can do much damage. 

 Among them are root-rot or gum disease affecting the trunk ; ripe rot, due to a 

 fungus attacking the fruit, and sooty mould, causing the blackened or mouldy 

 appearance of the leaves, fruit and twigs. It is interesting to know that this 

 last disease does not feed on the tissues of the plant, but thrives on the sweet 

 dew-like substances deposited by aphids and scale insects. Lichens in moist 

 localities; 'die back, '--^ and lemon scab -^ are among the more connnon diseases. 



Among the insect enemies, the purple scale is quite prevalent. It may be 

 readily identified, when adult, as a purplish object shaped somewhat like a 

 miniature oyster shell. A species of mealy bug, appearing as a cottony mass, 

 occurs in the terminal twigs causing them to grow twisted. The orange aphis 

 or black fly is a minute insect living in the fine twigs. And lastly, the orange 

 rust mite, which, though very tiny indeed, is the cause of tlie russet oranges. 

 It pierces the surface of the fruit and feeds on the oils therein. The same 

 species affecting lemons causes them to turn silvery. It is a curious fact that 

 fruits affected by this mite are usually better flavored than those that are not 

 troubled by it, though they are less attractive in appearance. The most serious 

 pest of all, however, is the recently-introduced ^lediterrancan fruit-My, elsewhere 

 described at length. 



The lime is extensively grown, there being several local varieties. The 

 supply at present is almost sufficient for the local demand. The cilcon-'' is 

 generally grown in yards and gardens. Both the oblong and rnuiul lemon-like 

 kumquat 26 thrive, as does the shaddock, which is recognized t)y its size (six or 

 seven inches in diameter) and coarse texture. All (>f the foregoing have long 

 been cultivated and are found in deep valleys in such a wild state that they might 

 almost be considered as part of the native flora. The pomelo deserves more 

 care than has so far been bestoAved upon ils cnliui'c. Several of the .lapanese 



-•' Citrus Limon. -^ Citrus arida. -'- Citrus Decuuiana. 



"^ A disease traceable to unfavorable condition in the soil. 

 ^* Cone-like elevation on leaves, fruit and twigs. 

 2^ Citrus Medica. -" Citrus japoiiicn. 



18 



