40 



may be used as a test ; if it adheres, the conditions are right for slow 

 curing. If it detaches easily, the best keeping quality is not being 

 secured." 



Question of Stocks. 



Lemons are generally worked on the ordinary rough lemon 

 throughout- the diilerent Provinces of the Union. 



The bitter Seville orange has also been used to a limited extent in 

 the Cape, and varieties of European lemons have been resorted to in 

 some instances in Xatal. The best fruit has been secured from trees 

 budded on bitter Seville roots, but as the range of soils in South Africa 

 on which this root (after working) thrives is only of limited extent, 

 it is evident that the majority of our lemon trees are growing on the 

 roots of the ordinary rough lemon. It is probable that this will 

 continue to be the case, and there appears to be little advantage at 

 present in seeking further — the root is hardy and a vigorous grower, 

 it can put up with more neglect and drought and accommodate itself 

 to more inferior soil conditions than any other. 



Another stock which might eventually be of use is the lime. The 

 theory has been advanced in some quarters that the skins of lemons 

 worked on lime roots are of finer texture, smoother, and more glossy 

 than those of lem^ons grown on rough lemon roots. 



From experimental work undertaken at Warmbaths (Transvaal), 

 there would appear to be something in this contention, but sufficient 

 time has not yet elapsed to afford definite data on which to base final 

 conclusions. 



Work is going on- at the same station with the Citrus trifoliata as 

 a lemon stock ; here again indications tend to show tliat as a stock this 

 variety will not be without its uses. 



The Best Soils. 



The soils on which the lemon thrives best depend largely on the 

 stock upon which it is worked. Lemons on lemon stock like a sandy 

 loam best, and some excellent specimens of trees may be seen all over 

 the Union of South Africa on soils of that description. 



On bitter Seville, the writer has seen lemons growing satisfactorily 

 on ground which at certain seasons of the year was almost a swamp. 

 The Seville root must have deep soil if it is to grow to the best advan- 

 tage, and as it is not subject to " rot " the lemon on this root may be 

 planted in situations where other stocks would not live. It will be 

 seen, therefore, that by the use of different stocks the range of soils 

 on which the lemon will thrive is a fairly wide one, and under these 

 circumstances one can understand how it is that lemons can be, and 

 are, grown successfully from the slopes of the sandstone and granite 

 hills in the Northern Transvaal to the deep alluvial loams on the south 

 coast of the Cape, and from the Natal Littoral to Clanwilliam. 



The range of soils and climate in which the citrus family in 

 general, and the lemon in particular, can be produced is perhaps more 

 extensive in South Africa than in any other country. 



Range of Climate. 



The lemon does not require as high a summer temperature as the 

 orange. On the other hand, the tree will not put up with as much 

 cold in the winter; it is more susceptible to frost than any other 



