Sperryola Lemon 
HISTORY—The parent tree was discovered near Lakeland, 
Florida. It was 40 years old when its commercial value was 
recognized by W. D. Sperry and was copyrighted under the 
trade name of “Sperryola.” The lemon is of the hardy Chinese 
species. 
DESCRIPTION—The Color: A deep yellow, smooth and 
thin skin; The Aroma: Distinctive and fragrant; Size: Medium 
running 25 to 40 dozen to the box, a commercial size. 
MATURITY—The Sperryola lemon ripens and colors on 
the tree, from July to December. It requires no artificial 
coloring, and is ripened in Natures own laboratory, in which 
respect it differs from imported lemons, which are cut green, 
cured and artificially colored. 
COLD RESISTANCE—The only reason lemons have not been 
produced heretofore in Florida, was because no variety had 
been found that would stand as much cold as other citrus 
varieties. The Sperryola parent tree has gone through many 
cold spells, including the disastrous freeze of 1895. Several 
thousand trees budded from this hardy parent have carried 
this inherited quality and it can be stated, with assurance, 
that the Sperryola lemon tree will stand as much cold as 
other citrus varieties. 
EARLY BEARING—The Sperryola trees are the most vig¬ 
orous of any citrus tree in our experience. Our young grove, 
now two and one-half years old, compares with an average 
six year old orange grove in size. At this age also, our trees 
will average between one-fourth and one-half box of perfect 
lemons per tree. The early bearing reduces the long period 
of waiting and makes a lemon grove an asset after three 
years. An orange grove seldom pays its way until the sixth 
to eighth year and until that time is an expense of increas¬ 
ing amount. 
KEEPING QUALITIES—Due to the great amount of oil in 
the skin, the Sperryola lemon seldom decays and is a fine 
shipper. The trees are also generally free from diseases 
which affect other lemon varieties. Our trees have never 
shown gum diseases or scab and it is our observation that 
rust mites do not attack the fruit. 
JUICE CONTENT—The Sperryola lemon contains from 20 
to 40% more' juice than the average imported varieties. 
MARKET—Over a million dollars was spent in Florida in 
1933 for lemons. Previous to the lifting of the embargo on 
California lemons, the supply came from the Mediterranean 
countries. Since the embargo was lifted two years ago, Cali¬ 
fornia has practically furnished all lemons used in Florida. 
In a period of fourteen weeks after the embargo was lifted, 
one hundred and thirty-four carloads of lemons came into 
Florida from California alone. This is conclusive evidence 
of a market already waiting, if Florida can supply the de¬ 
mand. 
PROFITS—Only two examples need be given in this brief 
prospectus: 
First—Quality of Fruit, 
Second—Cost of Production. 
The Sperryola lemons have been marketed in only a limited 
way, but all users have expressed a preference to them over 
any other lemons offered, imported varieties included. This 
has been borne out in the only other grove of like variety 
in the State, near Leesburg, and by a large number of in¬ 
dividuals, who have trees. The lemon compares most favor¬ 
ably with all imported varieties, and in some respects is 
superior to any obtained on our local markets. 
