APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1914. 



53 



37822 to 37869— Contd. (Quoted notes by Mr. Dorsett and others.) 



37837. "Jahoticaha murta. One of the commonest varieties 

 (or species) of the jaboticaba both in Rio de Janeiro and the 

 State of Miuas Geraes. The most noticeable difference be- 

 tween it and the other principal variety, coroa, is tlie smaller 

 size of the leaves. Ordinarilj- the leaves of murta are not 

 over 1 inch in length. The fruit is said to be about the same 

 as that of coroa. 



" It is impossible, at the present time, to determine the ac- 

 tual status of this and other varieties of the jaboticaba. There 

 is great need of a careful study of the species and varieties 

 of Myrciaria to throw some light on the subject." 



37838. ''Jaboticaba de cabinho or de Para. While this variety 

 of jaboticaba is ofl^ered by one nursery firm, no data concerning 

 it was obtainable. It is said to be of very good quality." 



37839. "Jaboticaba coroa. This and murta are the two com- 

 monly recognized varieties of jaboticaba in Rio de Janeiro 

 and Minas Geraes. The leaves of the coroa are 2 inches in 

 length; about twice the size of those of murta. There is said 

 to be very little difference in the fruits of the two." 



37840 to 37845. Citrus sinensis (L. ) Osbeck. Rutace*. Orange. 



37840. '' Laranja sclccta. This unusually choice orange is one 

 of the two principal varieties grown in the Rio de Janeiro 

 district and has the added distinction of having been, as all 

 the evidence indicates, the parent of the Bahia navel orange, 

 or Selecta de umbigo, as it is still called, whose culture in 

 California at the present day forms so important an industry. 



" The origin of the Selecta orange is obscure. It has been 

 cultivated in Brazil for more than a century, and although it 

 has been superseded in Bahia by its offspring, the navel 

 orange, it is still cultivated commercially near Rio de Janeiro, 

 particularly in the Sao Goncalo district at Xictheroy. The 

 main crop ripens in July, but it commences to come into the 

 market in March and continues until October. On the fancy- 

 fruit stfinds it brings 2 to 3 milreis (65 cents to $1) per 

 dozen, but in the public market it can be purchased at a con- 

 siderably lower price. Around Nictheroy the fruit is picked 

 ^ and brought to the market in baskets strapped across the backs 



of mules or horses. 



" The typical Selecta differs from the Bahia navel in form 

 and in the absence of a navel, with the accompanying presence 

 of seeds. In other points the two varieties are very similar. 

 The typical Selecta as found in the markets may be described 

 as follows : General form roundish oblate ; cross section regu- 

 larly round ; size medium large, good specimens being 3 to 

 3i inches in length and 3^ to 3* inches in breadth ; stem 

 sometimes inserted slightly obliquely ; base usually tapering 

 very little, flattened for a distance of one-half to three-fourths 

 of an inch from the stem insertion, sometimes slightly rough, 

 due to thickening of the skin : cavity none or practically none ; 

 apex flattened and frequently depressed for a distance of 

 half an inch from the stigmatlc point; surface varying from 



