240 



VALENCIA, LATE (Fig. 4) . Tree a strong grower, does not begin 

 to bear as soon as most other budded sorts ; few thorns, dark 

 foliage; fruit medium size, roundish oval, tapering towards the 

 stem, skin smooth ; pulp acid till fully ripe, few seeds, solid, of good 

 quality. The fruit ripens in the early spring, and will hang a long 

 time. Commercially, it is placed next to the Navel. 



THE SEVILLE or BITTER ORANGE. The hardiest of all 

 varieties, enduring very hard frosts without injury. It has the largest 

 and most fragrant flowers ; the pulp, however, is bitter and acid, and 

 is valued chiefly for marmalade. Several types are grown, which 

 raised from seeds have somewhat varied ; fruit fairly large, about 

 three inches in diameter, and flattened at both ends ; skin rough and 

 thick, dark orange and bitter ; when boiled becomes transparent. 

 The pulp, when cooked with sugar, sets to a jelly. Tree a strong 

 grower, with large bright green leaves, long and pointed, with well- 

 developed wings, thorny, thrives on heavier soil better than do sweet 

 oranges. 



SEEDLINGS. Numerous seedlings exist, some of which exhibit 

 features which are worth propagating, but they often fail in some 

 of the standards required from a profitable commercial orange. 



THE OONSHIA. A Japanese orange, which is claimed to be one 

 of the hardiest oranges known, and to withstand severe frost. The 

 skin is of a good rich colour, and somewhat liable to a scurfy 

 appearance, which, however, is not a disease ; flesh of pleasant 

 flavour, and almost seedless. 



MANDARINS (Citrus nobilis). 



SCARLET MANDARIN, very profitable on account of its earlmes^ 

 in bearing and in maturing its crop. Tree upright, spreading, 

 vigorous grower, above medium size, almost thornless ; fruit large, 

 flattened at both ends. Before ripening the rind is moderately 

 tight, but as the fruit ripens becomes puffy and assumes a reddish 

 orange colour ; it is easily detached from the pulp. When fully 

 ripe the segments surround a hollow core. Pulp dark orange r 

 sweet, of fine flavour; grows best in a semi-tropical climate. 

 A bad carrier, and requires careful picking and sweating before 

 shipping. 



THORNY MANDARIN or TANGERINE. One of the best-flavoured 

 of all mandarins. Tree a dense bush requiring severe thinning out 

 to bear large fruit ; thorny, except some sub- varieties which are 

 thornless. Fruit small to large, according to number of fruit, 

 vigour of trees, and soil and climate; roundish, flattened, stem fine 

 and firmly attached to fruit ; skins tight, thin, and smooth, pale 

 yellow. Pulp juicy and aromatic. This fruit becomes dry and 

 puffy if allowed to hang too long. 



