CHAPTER XVIII 



TROPICAL FRUITS AND HOW TO GROW THEM 

 By W. WATSON 



In this chapter it is proposed to call attention to certain fruits of recognised 

 value in tropical countries, but which have not hitherto found much favour 

 writh cultivators in this country, although their management is well writhin the 

 means of the grower of forced peaches, grapes, melons, pineapples, figs, &c. 

 Such plants as the mangosteen and durian, two of the most famous of tropical 

 fruit trees, are omitted, because they are practically beyond our skill. A well- 

 finished house of mangoes, custard apples, bananas, or oranges would surely be 

 as creditable and useful as some of the fruits that are grown now. The ex- 

 pense incurred in the production of fruits and flowers is not always a primary 

 consideration. Many of those we grow could be bought for less than it costs 

 to produce them at home. There is, however, the satisfaction, one might say 

 pride, of accomplishing some difficult feat of cultivation, which is sufficient 

 reward, and it is this spirit that enables English horticulturists to overcome 

 difficulties which would probably deter those influenced only by considerations 

 of profit and loss. 



THE CITRUS FAMILY 



The genus Citrus comprises seven species, three of which yield fruits of 

 commercial value, namely C. medica, forms of which are known as the citron, 

 the lemon, and the lime ; C. decumana, the shaddock, pumelo or grape fruit ; 

 and C. Aurant'ium, the type of all the oranges proper. Although found either 

 wild or cultivated in most tropical and sub-tropical regions, the various forms of 

 Citrus had, according to Sir Joseph Hooker, an Eastern origin, and the fore- 

 fathers of the orange, the lemon, and the lime may be found in the hot valleys 

 of the Himalaya, of the mountainous districts of Eastern Bengal, and of the 

 Deccan. The cultivation of oranges and lemons is now an enormous industry 

 in countries both west and east. It would therefore be absurd to recommend 

 their production in Britain as sources of profit, although they can be grown to 

 perfection at no greater an outlay than is required to grow first-class forced 

 peaches. 



The lemon, orange, and less commonly the shaddock are grown sometimes 

 as decorative plants, their fruits being allowed to remain on the trees as long as 

 they will hang, by which time they are dry and unpalatable. But cultivators 

 at home have shown that English-grown oranges are superb as dessert fruits. 



