86 



THE LEMON, LIME AND CITRON. 



inspection. The wide divergence is man- 

 ifested only in the fruit, and these are 

 probably not the only twin sisters that 

 have proven strangely sweet and sour. 

 In pruning lemins some of our most ex- 



perienced cultivators favor a low growth, 

 as they think that most nearly conforms 

 to the natural habit of the tree. This was 

 adverted to in the chapter on pruning. 



CHAPTER IV. 



BUDDED VARIETIES. 



As the budded varieties of lemons are 

 alone commended, it is in order to give a 

 list of the kinds grown and a description 

 of each. The list is scant, but it comprises 

 some excellent varieties, any of which 

 would redeem the character of lemon cul- 

 ture in California. 



SWEET RIND. This was the first im- 

 proved variety originated here as a seed- 

 ling. It is a fair lemon, but is excelled by 

 others since introduced. 



THE LISBON. This was the first foreign 

 variety introduced,coming from Australia. 

 The tree is a strong grower, quite thorny, 

 not so early in bearing as other varieties. 

 Fruit oblong, symmetrical, strong acid; 

 more or less seeds; rind sweet and thin. 

 Acid rarely goes below 7 per cent, and fre- 

 quently exceeds that standard. 



THE EUREKA. This is a chance seed- 

 ling originated by Mr. U. R. Workman 

 and introduced by Mr. T. A. Garey in 

 1877-8. The tree makes a vigorous growth, 

 and is thornless. Fruit sharply pointed 

 at blossom end, fair in texture, seedless 

 and sweet rind; acid the best. 



GENOA. Imported from Italy. Tree 



thornless and an earl y beaier. Fruit 

 good in all respects except acidity. Tests 

 show the amount of acid to vary so much 

 that the fruit is not looked upon with 

 favor. 



BONNIE BRAE. This was originated by 

 Mr. H. M. Higgins, of San Diego, from 

 imported seed. I consider it the hand- 

 somest lemon grown in California. (See 

 full description in succeeding chapter.) 

 Tree of average size, a strong grower, 

 quite thorny. Fruit symmetrical, texture 

 the finest, rind thin, almost seedless, acid 

 fair, and the juice possesses a peculiar 

 rich flavor. 



OLIVIA. Originated by Mr. Geo. C. 

 Swan, of San Diego. Tree somewhat 

 thorny, good bearer. The fruit is excel- 

 lent, test showing 8.08 per cent citric acid. 



GARCELON'S KNOBBY. A variety origi- 

 nated by Mr. G. W. Garcelon, of River- 

 side, and not yet introduced for general 

 propagation. The fruit is small and pe- 

 culiarly marked with a long spike at the 

 blossotrf* end. This variety possesses ad- 

 vantages which may make it a favorite at 

 no distant day. 



CHAPTER V. 



PREPARING FOR MARKLT. 



The same general principles which ap- 

 ply to the handling of oranges apply 

 to lemons. The fruit should be pick- 

 ed when dry and stored for a period 

 during which it undergoes a sweating and 

 curing process. In this way the excess of 

 moisture is evaporated from the skin, ren- 



dering it soft and pliable, with a texture 

 somewhat like a kid glove. Lemons 

 cured in this \va,y will keep a long time, 

 and are not susceptible to decay in transit 

 as the result of close packing or bruising. 

 There is no secret about the curing pro- 

 cess. The lemons are merely spread out 



