1 Seet., 1897.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 225 
Further Notes on Pomelos. 
J. E. Currer, of Riverside, at the recent meeting of the Southern 
California Pomological Society, gave an address on ‘Citrus Specialties,” 
introducing an interesting review of the pomelo proposition:— 
“ Raison d’Htre——Among specialties, most interest is now centring in 
the pomelo, or grape fruit, as more generally known. ‘The fruit had found its 
way from the groves of Florida to the favour of eastern consumers before the 
great freezes of 1894-95 cut off the supply. How strong, though perhaps 
limited, that favour had become, the large prices of present years show. While 
the fruit is of recognised value for medicinal purposes, it also seems to suit the 
palates of those who want something tonic with their food. With such the 
‘erape fruit habit’ is easy to learn, and its continuance is a pleasing indulgence 
(especially for the man with a bearing grove just now). 
“ Varieties.—Since public demand had decided the desirability of the culture 
of the pomelo, we turn next to the question of varieties. The industry is 
so new at this date no one is, or can be, an authority; but varieties, as candi- 
dates for preference, are numerous. Already wehear of Aurantium, Leonardy, 
Bowen, Triumph, Seedless, Walters, Thornless Silver Cluster, Imperial, Mays, 
and the ever-present seedling. Most of these ‘varieties’ are as indistinct in 
characteristics as seedling oranges, and the points of distinctiveness which 
some of them possess are those of positive disadvantage. 
“ Size.—As the markets prefer 42’s to 64's, it follows that the Triumph 
and the still smaller Walters, with Mays, are plainly deficient in respect of 
size. . The lastnamed is reported from Florida as runuing from 60 to 100 per 
box; 64’s to 96’s in our California boxes. Seedless meets market requirements 
in size. The writer has fruited this variety, and finds it to be practically 
seedless, and best in texture and general quality. Peel rather thick (in Florida 
it is said to be very thin), but this may be due to my tree being still young. 
It has bloomed very heavily this season; in previcus years had been cut severely 
for buds, so preventing much fruiting. It is nearly thornless, as well as 
seedless, and makes a beautiful tree, much better of habit than Triumph. It 
may or may not be the best variety, but seedlessness is certainly a definite and 
valuable point to gain. 
‘T will here remark that in the ‘ scale’ for judging citrus fruits a penalty 
of one point for each five seeds should be laid, rather than that provided for 
oranges and lemons. 
“The Silver Cluster.—A letter of a nurseryman appeared in the Florida 
Harmer of 27th February last, in which he states as follows of the ‘ Thornless 
Silver Cluster’ :—‘The tree is a vigorous grower, absolutely thornless when 
wood is matured, and an early and abundant bearer. The fruit is medium size, 
thin-skinned, has very few seeds, and is an excellent shipper, packing about 46 
per box. . . . In this section it is preferred to any other variety.’ 
“Such a combination of good points leaves little to be desired. 
“The Mays.——Of the ‘Mays, a Florida gentleman of high standing in 
matters of citrus fruits writes me:—‘It has always taken premiums over all 
others at the fairs where I haye shownit. . . . Itis not aslarge as some— 
60 to 100 per box.’ 
“Tn general appearance the seedlings equal—perhaps excel—those which 
show distinctive points, but it would seem that their tough integuments and 
and the fifty or sixty seeds they carry will eventually lead to the same 
discrimination against them that has fallen to the seedling orange. It is 
certainly the part of prudence in planting to use varieties that are known to 
have distinctive points of excelience ; but several years must yet elapse before 
superiority can establish the claims of any.—Pacific Rural Press.” 
