202 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



dormant season. Later in the season a large part of the 

 shoots that start as an efEect of the winter cutting back 

 are cut out. Others are content with more moderate 

 shortening and pinching points of growth, which results 

 in an equal quantity of sizable fruit, but a less symmetric 

 and compact form of tree. Upon the whole, it is a 

 troublesome tree to manage, but to the methodic grower 

 in a nearly frostless region it is one of the most profitable 

 of the orchard fruits. 



The fruit is gathered, when it attains proper size for 

 shipping, when wholly green and not more than half 

 grown. The crop for summer use is mainly gathered in 

 the winter and stored in what is known as a curing- house, 

 built in such way as to be dark and free from sudden 

 changes in temperature, yet with such an admission of air 

 as will carry off the evaporation from the fresh green fruit. 

 In these houses the lemons slowly mature and while taking 

 on the golden color the rind is toughened, which fayors 

 long keeping. The proper curing requires the same 

 methodic care and skill as does the pruning and manage- 

 ment of the tree. 



198. The Pomelo or Grape-fruit. — This species {Citrus 

 decumana) is quite closely allied to the orange, and it is 

 the most ornamental tree of the genus when laden with its 

 large golden fruit. Its flowers are large, white, and very 

 fragrant. Its fruit runs into a great number of varieties 

 of all shapes, such as oblate, oval, pyriform, and flattened, 

 and the quality varies quite as much. In Cuba we found 

 the fruit quite as popular as the orange, and even more so 

 with the well-to-do classes, as it has an acid mingled with 

 a slight bitter taste that is peculiarly refreshing in hot 

 climates. It is prepared by taking out the bitter mem- 

 branes and sprinkling the tender pulp with sugar. "What 

 is known as the pomelo commercially are round, often six 



