38 



in the latter Province. Distribution took place, principally in the 

 Cape, and to-day large and profitable lemon orchards are to be found 

 both in the eastern and western portions of that Province. Later, 

 when the development of the fruit industry assumed larger proportions 

 in the Transvaal, many hundreds of lemon trees were planted there 

 also, and these have thriven remarkably well. Indeed, the European 

 varieties of the lemon, without exception, appear to appreciate their 

 surroundings throughout the whole of the many citrus-growing districts 

 of South Africa, and, without doubt, were there a profitable market for 

 this fruit in Europe, many more plantations would have been set out 

 than is the case at present. 



Unfortunately, however, the supply from the islands of the 

 Mediterranean and the littoral of that sea is so plentiful , and the prices 

 vi'hich growers there are compelled to accept so low, that for ten months 

 at least out of the tv/elve they hold a monopoly of the lemon market. 

 Some conception of the magnitude of the lemon-growing industry in 

 Sicily may be gathered when it is stated that in the year 1912 the total 

 production in the island amounted to 240,300 tons, and this was n poor 

 year, for in 1911 it totalled no less than 350,000 tons. 



Months when Lemons are Scarce. 



It so happens, however, that the months in which lemons 

 are comparatively scarce in Europe are those during which they ore 

 most plentiful here. During July and August, therefore, it should 

 be possible at a later date to export some of our superfluous lemons 

 thither, with some chance of doing profitable business, 



In 1913 the import of fruit into South Africa frohi Italy amounted 

 to £2,187, and this consisted chiefly of lemons sent to arrive during 

 Decem.ber, January, and February, just those months when we require 

 lliem most. All these lemons are " cured " before despatcli, the curing 

 ])rocess rendering the skins thin and tough, and as a rule they arrive 

 in this country in excellent condition. Very little has been done in 

 South Africa in the way of " curing " the lemorL, but it is one of those 

 problems which v/ill have to be taken in hand when the time arrives 

 for our export business to begin. Our growers will also have to study 

 the requirements of the European markets, Especially in the matter of 

 the size of the fruit sent away. 



Very Large Frx'It not Wanted. 



The demand is for medium-sized fruit — this point cannot be too 

 fully emphasized ; none should be exported of greater than 2f inches 

 in diameter, and none under 2 inches. In order to make this possible, 

 the fruit must be picked when perfectly green and of the correct size, 

 and then stored away or cured until the right colour has developed, 

 when it is in a fit condition to travel oversea. 



The "curing" process is, however, worth studying for our own 

 use, in order that South Africa may be able to supply its own markets 

 throughout the whole of the year. 



Three Principal Points. 



Consideration must be given to three principal points, namely, 

 temperature, ventilation, and atmospheric moisture. 



