Glen Saint 
Mary Nurseries 
Citrus Fruits 
POMELO. Grapefruit 
Most of the older citrus-fruit growers in Florida can remember when Pomelo fruit was not 
worth picking; in fact, it had no market value. Within twenty-five or thirty years the status of 
the Grapefruit has changed materially, and, at this time, it is not too much to say that, from a 
commercial standpoint, it is equal or superior to the orange. It was in Florida that the Pomelo as 
a market fruit was discovered, and the Florida product is still considered the standard of quality. 
Attempts to grow the Pomelo in California have not met with success, and most of the trees planted 
some years ago have been top-worked to oranges. Florida need fear no competition from that quarter. 
No other citrus tree with which we are acquainted will outyield the Grapefruit in bulk of fruit 
produced. It is usually considered to be a more vigorous grower than the orange and lemon, and 
can take care of larger amounts of plant-food to advantage. From the grower’s point of view it is a 
cheaper fruit to pick and pack than the orange. Fewer fruits need be picked and wrapped to fill 
a box, and the saving in this connection is considerable. 
The outlook for Grapefruit in our markets is excellent. It is the breakfast fruit of America 
par excellence , and its use on the American breakfast-table is steadily increasing. No other fruit 
takes its place, because of its appetizing and refreshing qualities, and once converted to its use, 
a consumer wants no other fruit. Even should the price per box fall to the level of oranges, it would 
still be the more profitable fruit to grow, for reasons already pointed out. 
Pomelo Soils 
In its soil requirements the Pomelo, or Grapefruit, does not differ from other citrus trees. The 
trees are grown on the same roots as the orange, and it is the root that governs. It may be pointed 
out, however, that on account of its large, dense, dark green foliage, the Pomelo has the advantage 
on poorer types of soil, as it is able to prepare a larger amount of food. 
The soil should be well drained, and, if it is not naturally drained, this should be provided for 
by ditching. The surface soil should be good, tillable earth, and if the subsoil contains some clay 
it will be an advantage in saving plant-food. If a hard layer is present beneath the .surface soil, it 
should be broken up. It is best to clear the land and cultivate it for one season in cowpeas or 
velvet beans before planting. Such a crop, when plowed under, will do much toward starting 
the trees into vigorous growth. 
Planting 
The ground should be ready for the trees by the time 
they arrive. Thoroughly plow and harrow the soil to put it in 
the best possible condition. Stake the ground, setting a lath or 
other small stake where each tree is to stand. Pomelos on sour 
orange and rough lemon stock should be set 25 feet by 25 
feet, or 25 feet by 30 feet. If on Citrus trifoliata stock they may 
be set 18 feet by 18 feet, or 20 feet by 20 feet. Have on 
hand enough commercial fertilizer to allow a pound or a 
pound and a half for each tree. This fertilizer should ana¬ 
lyze four per cent ammonia and five or six per cent each 
phosphoric acid and potash. 
Open the boxes of trees as soon as received, heel-in the 
trees in a shady place, covering the roots with soil and the 
tops with the packing material, straw, or a cover of any kind. 
Dig the holes just in advance of planting. Fill in around 
the roots with surface soil with which the fertilizer mentioned 
above has been thoroughly mixed. 
In planting, spread out the roots carefully, and pack the soil 
about them by hand. When the hole is three-quarters filled, 
add a bucket or two of water, then fill up the rest of the hole. 
Pack the earth tight about the roots. If the soil is dry it is an 
advantage to bank up around the trunk to a height of ten or 
twelve inches with clean, dry soil. This should be removed as McCarty Pomelo 
soon as the trees start to grow. on the Tree 
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