THE CULTIVATION OF CITKUS FRUITS IN THE WEST INDIES. 435 



After carefully considering the various merits of these stocks, and 

 having made himself thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the soil 

 and the varying climatic conditions existing in the region where he desires 

 to establish his grove, the planter should experience little difficulty in 

 securing the most suitable stock for his particular purpose. In the 

 course of these remarks on stocks I have made no particular mention of 

 the influence of the stock on the scion. That the stock does exert an 

 influence over the scion cannot be doubted, both upon the growth 

 and productiveness of the tree and the flavour of the fruit. 



As so little reliable evidence is obtainable at present, and that so con- 

 flicting, no good purpose could be served by discussing it in this paper. 



Vaeieties. 



Before planting a grove the planter must first make himself acquainted 

 with the requirements of the market for which he intends to cater, 

 and he should also possess a thorough knowledge of the qualities of 

 the fruits he purposes growing, giving due consideration to their flavour 

 and general shipping qualities, whether early, medium, or late varieties 

 are required. 



Having accomplished this he can then make a suitable selection for 

 his particular purpose. If he desires to confine himself to the cultivation 

 of one good all-round variety of orange, the Washington Navel cannot be 

 too strongly recommended ; this is a seedless orange of good flavour. 

 There also exist in some of the West Indian Islands unnamed varieties 

 of Sweet Orange, which often possess qualities " superior " to many of 

 the more recently imported varieties ; such oranges usually go by the 

 name of 1 Common Sweet Orange ' (fig. 89), and large quantities are 

 shipped each year and find a ready sale in the European markets. 



Early fruiting varieties of the ordinary orange are ' Parson Brown ' 

 and ' Boone's Early.' If early fruiting varieties of the ordinary sweet 

 orange are required, ' Parson Brown ' and ' Boone's Early ' can be 

 thoroughly recommended, whereas ' Valencia Late ' makes an excellent 

 late variety. 



Mandarin and Tangerine Oranges. — The 1 Satsuma ' is a good early 

 fruiting variety of the Mandarin, and the Tangerine ' King ' cannot be 

 beaten as a good all-round late fruiting variety. 



Grape Fruit. — The 1 Triumph' and ' Jamaica' are varieties difficult 

 to surpass either for their general health or prolificness. (Fig. 90.) 



Lemons. — The 1 Villa Franca ' variety can be recommended for general 

 cultivation. 



Selection op Site foe Grove. 



The final success or failure of an orange grower is often decided by 

 the choice of site. Oranges and Grape fruit thrive well up to an altitude 

 of 2,500 feet, the most suitable altitude, however, being from 800 to 

 1,200 feet. The site chosen should be within easy reach of the coast, and 

 should afford good facilities for transport ; a gentle slope with a south or 

 south-westerly aspect, well sheltered from prevailing winds, should, if 

 possible, be chosen. 



