36 Limes, Citrons, $c., at Coombe Royal, 



Art. XI. Description of the Lime, Citron, Orange, and Lemon Trees 

 at Coombe Royal, the Seat of John Luscombe, Esq., Devonshire. 

 Communicated by the Proprietor. 



The following brief description of the lime, citron, orange, 

 and lemon trees at Coombe Royal, and of the manner in which 

 they are treated, may not prove unacceptable to the readers of 

 the Gardener's Magazine : — 



The trees are planted against a south wall, which is divided 

 by buttresses, forming recesses, in which the trees are trained 

 in the manner of common fruit trees. Each recess is 12^ ft. 

 wide, and about the same in height ; and is protected, during 

 the winter, by a frame of wood, which is wholly removed in the 

 summer ; and partially, by day, at other seasons, the trees only 

 requiring to be guarded from severe frost. A more interesting- 

 sight cannot well be imagined by the lovers of horticulture, than 

 that which is presented by these trees on a sunny day in winter, 

 when the open frames furnish a display of the richest foliage, 

 and of fruit rivalling the produce of foreign countries. The 

 soil, which is seldom manured, is light and rich, on a slaty sub- 

 stratum, and seems admirably adapted to trees of the citron tribe ; 

 the situation in which they are grown is in a sheltered valley, 

 protected from wind. It is necessary to add, that the lime is 

 grown under glass in winter ; but it is believed that the tree 

 would thrive equally well under wood, and be more secure from 

 frost and storms, a fine tree, in full bearing, having been de- 

 stroyed a few years since by the accidental breaking of a frame 

 or two of glass in winter. The fruit is produced abundantly by 

 the citron, oranges, and lemons ; by the lime, more sparingly, 

 from the tree being young, and in a vigorously growing state : 

 and, when gathered at a proper period, the fruit is of a fine 

 flavour, and full of juice. Specimens of the fruit accompany this 

 communication ; and some idea may be formed of the size which 

 they attain, when it is stated that citrons are every year ripened, 

 measuring from 14 in. to 18 in. in circumference : and, as a fur- 

 ther proof of their luxuriancy, the reader is informed that there 

 are now on the tree between three and four dozen green fruit, 

 from blossoms produced in May and June last ; some of which 

 measure, at this time (September), J2 in. and 14 in. in circum- 

 ference. Several young trees have recently been planted, which 

 are in a thriving state. 



A Banksian medal was presented to the late John Luscombe 

 Luscombe, Esq., by the London Horticultural Society, for 

 oranges, lemons, and citrons exhibited in April, 1827. 



Coombe Royal, Devon, Sept. 25. 1833. 



