220 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE, 



Both, however, are small, round and flattened. The rind is thin and tender, and the 

 quality of the pulp delicious. Eipening takes place earlier than in the case of the larger 

 oranges named. Kumquat, a Japanese variety, is small-fruited, dwarf-growing, and 

 suitable for pot culture. 



Citrons. — The trees of this section (Citrus medica) are strong-growing, or more so 

 than those of oranges generally, the leaves are larger, the fruit more sparingly produced 

 and remarkably large, sometimes attaining a length of 6 inches. 



Lemons (Citrus limonum). — This species is of a vigorous habit of growth, and 

 there are several varieties available. The common Lisbon and Genoa are two of 

 the best. 



Limes. — In habit of growth Citrus limetta resembles that of the Lemon, but the 

 fruits are rounder. The largest fruits are produced by the varieties Imperial and 

 Brazilian. 



Shaddocks. — This strong-growing species (Citrus decuma) should be trained against 

 a high wall, where the trees will produce a few sensational fruit, in shape and size some- 

 thing between a cricket and football. 



Propagation and Culture. 



All the forms can be increased by seeds, cuttings, grafting, and budding. Seedlings 

 cannot be relied on to come true, and are a long time reaching fruitfulness. They 

 form, however, the best stocks for grafting or budding. The seeds will germinate in an 

 ordinary greenhouse temperature, large numbers having been raised in windows even, 

 but much time will be gained by utilising a hot-bed or heat of some kind. Sow thinly, 

 cover with \ inch of fine sandy soil, and place a square of glass over till germination 

 takes place. When large enough, place the plants singly in 3-inch pots and return to 

 gentle heat, shading from sun till they are well-rooted, when they may be put into 

 5 -inch pots. During the summer a shallow pit or frame is a good position for young 

 plants, where they should receive plenty of air. Winter in a warm greenhouse. If 

 bushes are desired, the seedlings ought to be large enough to bud the following August, 

 inserting the bud in the stem in the usual way, not far from the soil. Hand-light protec- 

 tion is suitable for newly-grafted plants, and the stocks should not be cut down and 

 worked till the following spring. Growth will be more rapid in gentle heat, or over a 

 mild hot-bed, and a bush can be formed by topping and pruning. 



If standards are wanted, then the seedlings should be confined to a single straight 



