49 



The Question of Climate. 



The principal object to study, apart from what has already been 

 mentioned, is that the grape fruit must have a site which confers 

 immunity from frost. Whilst the tree will put up with a few degrees 

 and give no immediate evidence of suffering, it is a well-recognized fact 

 that it fruits more regularly and consistently, and gives better fruit 

 where there is no possibility of its being siibjected to any frost at all. 

 In fact, it can be regarded as the one tree of the citrus type which does 

 better under almost tropical conditions than any other, and the moister 

 these conditions are the more they are appreciated. 



Varieties in South Africa. 



The following varieties are to be obtained in South Africa : 

 "Marsh's Seedless," "Royal" and "Triumph," in addition 

 " Aurantium " and " Duncan " are to be found, but are not stocked, 

 as far as the writer is aware, by any nurseryman. Amongst the above 

 are some which in Florida are quite satisfactory and have proved 

 acceptable in the world's markets. It cannot be said, however, that 

 either of them is exactly the fruit we are looking for to build up our 

 export trade in this line, and it remains for some variety either to be 

 introduced or originated which will prove equal to our requirements. 

 New varieties are being produced at the Citrus Experiment Station at 

 Warmbaths ; but before anything definite can be stated as to their 

 suitability for our needs they will have to be tested at some point along 

 the coast, because the conclusion has been arrived at that none are 

 likely to succeed as well inland as in more congenial surroundings. 



Irrigation and Cultivation. 



There is no need to further describe approved methods, as they 

 are practically the same as those in use for the orange. The distance 

 apart at which the trees should be planted should not be less than 25 

 feet, and 30 feet is even better. 



Pruning the Tree. 



Owing to the extreme toughness of the wood, the branches of the 

 tree seldom break. When one considers the weight of a cluster of 

 half a dozen, grape fruits, and observes that frequently the bunches 

 occur at the end of a branch, it is at once evident that a great strain 

 is made on the limb holding them. One of the objects, therefore, in 

 pruning the tree is to prevent long and straggling branches and to 

 render it as compact as possible. Judicious thinning-out is also neces- 

 sary, not only to ensure the free access of light and air, but also in 

 order that any sprays used may be able to easily penetrate to the 

 interior of that tree. 



During 1914 a few hundred cases of grape fruit were shipped 

 to England. The prices realized have proven quite satisfactory, as 

 much as 30s. having been paid per standard box. The varieties sent 

 have been principally " Triumph " and " Marsh's Seedless," and these 

 have done better as to price than in previous years. This may be due 

 to the fact that the Jamaica supply was a little later, and, possibly, 

 somewhat scarcer than usual. 



