LEMONS IN, INDIA. 453 



i^ize of orchard.i.—¥iom the nature of the soil required and tbe lor- 

 niiitiou of tbe country large orchards can not be planted ; from 5 to 10 

 acres is a coiuinou size. 



MatitrUy.— The trees begin to bear at three years from tlio bud, carry 

 tbe heaviest crop between the sixth and tenth year, and after 15 years 

 decay rapidly. 



fusect pcstii. — An important insect enemy is the caterpillar of Erythco, 

 which 8tri|)S the trees of tbe young foliage during Jnly. Hand j)iclving 

 is the chief remedy enjployed. An undetermined wood boring insect at- 

 tacks the trees as soon as decay sets in, and is commonly supposed to be 

 the cause of decay. Severe pruning and burning the affected branches 

 is the most effectual remedy. It is doubtful whether any insects are 

 beneficial except in distributing the pollen, but the entomology of Indian 

 fruit culture is fragmentary as yet. 



LEMONS. 



Lemons are not exi)orted. The large coarse citron called Jambooree 

 [Citrus medica) can be produced cheaply in large quantities, but except 

 by dyers for the acid it is but little used and brings a very low price. 



The sweet lime {Citrus Hmeiha) a fruit having a tight, smooth, very 

 thin skin, ultimately of a pale yellow, and eleven to twelve liths, inclos- 

 ing very pale colored sweet Juice without i)iquant iiavor and about ten 

 seeds. The leaves attain 3^ by 2J inches, slightly toothed, and thorns 

 one-fourth of an inch in length are developed in the axiles. This fruit 

 is widely cultivated, but not to any important extent in one place. It is 

 chiefly grown from seed. 



The common sour lime {Bagdee Liniboo). — A globular, smooth, pale 

 yellow fruit weighing about one tenth of a pound, having pale green- 

 ish yellow acid pulp of pleasant flavor inclosed in 10 by 11 liths and 

 numerous seeds having several embryos. 



The tree is of a dense growing, branching, thorny habit, bears leaves 

 from 2 by 1 to 2^ by 1^ inches, having a stalk one-half inch in length, 

 of which the winged joint is one-quarter of an inch. The flower has four 

 petals, is three quarters of an inch in diameter, and has twenty two to 

 twenty-five stamens. 



This is the favorite sour lime. It is used by all classes as a condi- 

 ment and digestive, and is widely produced throughout the country. 

 The trees are raised from seed, and when cared for properly attain at 

 least fifty years of age. 



The Pati Limboo, or Kama, is a variety of the above, 3J ounces in 

 weight, oblong in shape, and bearing nipples at both ends. 



The Popamus or Pumalo, {Citrus decumajia), seedlings of this fruit 

 vary greatly and a large proportion are worthless, but the grand, 

 thin-skinned, and red-fleshed varieties that are cultivated near Bom- 

 bay are very delicious and wholesome if eaten in the morning with 

 salt 01' sugar. A well-devoloped speciuieu weighs 4= pounds and is 7 



