16 



that it is not proposed to repeat it here. It is seedless where properly 

 grown, of exquisite flavour, with carrying qualities second to none, and 

 an appearance so strikingly different to all other oranges as to immedi- 

 ately attract the eye. Of comparatively recent origin, its career has 

 been one long success, and there is no prospect of its losing its place 

 in piiblio favour for some years to come, if ever. 



Valencia Late is, as its name denotes, an orange with late ripening 

 qualities. It is also one of those which contains but a few seeds, is 

 extremely hardy, and a regular bearer of good, medium large, some- 

 what elongated fruit. It is a favourite here, as it comes on our markets 

 when most other oranges have long since disappeared and prices are 

 therefore at their best. 



Jaffa. — ^This is another orange with very few seeds, and is borne on 

 a tree which is almost without thorns., The quality of the fruit is good, 

 aiid is in great demand in European markets. The popularity of the 

 above two kinds has, however, hitherto prevented as much attention 

 being paid to this variety as it deserves. 



St Michael (paper rind) is also a favourite on the markets of 

 Eiirope. Very few trees of this type are to be found in South Africa 

 yat. For quality, flavour, thinness and smoothness of skin it is entirely 

 without an equal. It is, however, rather small. 



. Du Roi is largely grown in Natal and parts of the Transvaal. It 

 is ..equally as late as the Valentia Late, and one of the heaviest bearers 

 known, in fact, the tendency to bear too heavily is its chief fault. The 

 fruit is good, very free from "rag," but frequently does not possess 

 that dark-coloured skin which is supposed to denote quality in nn 

 orange. 



Blood Orange. — This is not as general a favourite in South Africi 

 as- any of the others named. It is mentioned here because a demand 

 at a good price exists in Europe, and it is a variety worth cultivating. 



Mediterannean Sweet ripens between Navel and Valentia Late, 

 has proved a good shipper from Rhodesia to England. This orange 

 should be planted more extensively than it is at present ; tree prac- 

 tically without thorns, and never attains large size, but bears regularly. 



Seedlings. — These are to be found all over South Africa, and 

 represent 75 per cent, of the bearing orange trees in the country to-day. 

 Many districts have types peculiarly their own ; thus one hears of 

 " Clanwilliam Seedlings," of " Rustenburg Seedlings," and others. 

 They are the present-day representatives of the original trees introduced 

 now some three hundred years ago. In some instances one may find 

 an orange equal to the best-named variety, whilst others again are not 

 as good. A striking characteristic of all these is the great size and 

 uniform shape of the trees, together with freedom from many scale 

 insects and pests to which nursery raised trees are liable. It is fruit 

 from these trees which forms by far the larger portion of our citrus 

 export to-day, and it says much for the quality of the fruit that it has 

 already achieved so good a reputation in the markets'of Europe. 



Selection of Varieties. 



Selection of Varieties. — Due consideration should be giA'en to the 

 selection of varieties for planting; and the eventual disposal of the 

 crop, the turning of fruit into money must always be borne in mind. 



