236 



CITRUS FRUITS. 



Numerous species belong to the citrus family, but of these four 

 or five only have for us a commercial value, viz., the Orange, the 

 Mandarine, the Pomelo, the Lemon, and the Kumquat. 



ORANGE (Citrus aurantium). 



The most notable of these are arranged in the order in which 

 they ripen. The sorts we favour are smooth, thin-skinned, tender, 

 juicy fruit, that will sink in water, preferably the seedless 

 varieties. 



The orange stands frost better than the lemon, and does not 

 succumb to a temperature of 3 or 4 C. (20 to 25 F. of frost) if 

 these low temperatures are not lengthy, and when the thawing is 

 gradual. It requires a mean summer temperature of 22 or 23 C. 

 (71 to 74 F.) to ripen. 



THE NAVEL (syn. Bahia) stands prominently to the forefront 

 amongst our choicest oranges. Imported from Bahia, Brazil, into 

 the United States, it has been distributed to every part of the world 

 offering suitable climateric conditions to its successful cultivation. 

 The blossoms of navel oranges are double, having a secondary 

 blossom within and no pollen. When an occasional seed is found 

 in them it is the result of transported pollen. 



Few citrus varieties sport more readily than does the Navel, 

 and we have now in cultivation a number of these oranges, which 

 differ materially from one another as regards appearance and time 

 of ripening. Amongst the most noted are : 



^AUSTRALIAN NAVEL. The foliage resembles that of the 

 Washington Navel. The fruit varies in size, all sizes generally 

 being found on the same tree. A very shy bearer. Blooms pro- 

 fusely, but very few of the blossoms set ; often the trees are loaded 

 with fruit, and after having attained the size of marbles drop to the 

 ground, without any apparent cause ; fruit also has a tendency to 

 split at the navel, which is usually large and prominent, unlike that 

 of the Washington Navel, which is round and generally small. 

 Seedless. Flavour as good if not superior to that of the Washing- 

 ton Navel. The tree is a stronger grower. 



WASHINGTON NAVEL. The variety was, like all Navels, 

 introduced from Bahia, Brazil, into the United States, whence they 

 found their way to every part of the globe where climateric con- 

 ditions are suitable to orange culture. No market has ever yet been 

 glutted with well-grown oranges of this sort. The tree, although 

 hardy and vigorous, is of medium size, with dark-coloured leaves 



