THE CUBA REVIEW. 



there be any question, but that the Cuban i:omelo is the equal or the superior of 

 any po-melo produced anywhere. The future of the Cuban pomelo is assured. 



General Notes. 



The cultivation and care of the pomelo does not dififer materially from that 

 which must be given the sweet orange. They are more- vigorous growers than the 

 oranges and require plenty of plant food. If fertilizer is used, it can be profitably 

 applied in much larger quantities than it can to other citrus fruits. In general, the 

 stocks to be preferred are sour orange and rough lemon, the latter for drier loca- 

 tions, the former for moist, well drained lands. The trees should be planted 

 as far or farther apart than the strongest growing sweet oranges. A distance 

 of thirty feet apart, forty-eight trees per acre, will be found about right for 

 most conditions. The planting should not be confined to a single variety. Two, 

 at least, should be used, and more fruit will consequently be secured. 



Number of Varieties. 



In the June, 1907, number of the "Cuba Review and Bulletin," the writer 

 discussed this question fully in relation to sweet oranges. These statements then 

 made apply for the most part with equal force to the pomelos. There are, how- 

 ever, some slight differences worth taking into consideration. Most pomelos will 

 hang on the trees, and are marketable throughout a longer season than oranges. 

 I call to mind only one variety as an exception to this — Triumph. It should be 

 marketed early. On the other hand, while the fruit improves in quality with time, 

 it is edible as soon as colored. This isn't true of sweet oranges. But, after all, 

 the partly ripe fruit does not compare with the full ripe, perfect fruit that may 

 be eaten without a wry face and without sugar. For the Cuban grower the best 

 advice is to plant heavily of the later maturing varieties, those which can be 

 put into the market in good condition in March, April and May. The Florida 

 product is gone then, and the California fruit is not to be mentioned in the 

 same breath with the Cuban product in quality. 



J Varieties. 



A very considerable number of A'arieties of pomelos have been introduced. 

 As with all fruits, the good ones have remained, the poor ones have disappeared 

 from catalogues and planting lists. A number of varieties, apparently crossed 

 -with the sweet orange, have been listed, but since they lack the true bitter flavor 

 ■of the pomelo, they have not been favorably received. The number of pomelos 

 which I can recommend to Cuban planters is not great. 



Size is an important factor. The size into which pomelos are packed are 36, 

 46, 54, 64, 72, 80, 96. The smallest size pomelos and the largest size oranges — 

 96 to the box — are the same. On the whole, the most desirable sizes are 46 to 

 72, inclusive, as the very small fruit, sizes 80 and 96, does not meet with ready sale. 



For another reason it is advisable to plant the larger varieties. Fewer fruits 

 per box, and more boxes per tree frequently go together. Larger fruits and less 



The Duncan Pomelo. Firm, smooth, waxy, light yellow rind. 

 Fruit matures late. 



