The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-12-29
pIVGR5IFIAD INDUSTRIES.
TIE LIME.

wild in many tropical countries, ara
is not as yet extensively cultivated
but its value is beginning to be APP
preciated and it promises to be
formidable rival to the lemon.
Risso, of Nice, in his great work,
enumerates eight varieties of the
lime, as follows: Vulgaris, Parva,
Acris, Hspanica, Romano, Tuber-
culosa, Amaria, Pomumadami. The
varieties known in the south OF Spain
and IN Morocco, where they abound,
are the "Roman," "Melaroce' ana
St. jerome.
Those known and cultivated in
Florida are: "Tahiti," strong grower,
nearly thornless, very early and
heavy bearer, fruit large, strong,
rich acid. FLORIDA" Introduced
from Mexico and known in California
as the Mexican. Fruit medium size,
skin smooth and thin, juice acid,
rich and abundant. ''Sweet or
Bulbs" Large, thick skinned,
pulpy: valued only as variety and
for preserving. "Persian." Lately
introduced: a very superior sort;
fruit large, and often exceeds the
ordinary lemon in size; juice very
pleasant acid pulp tender and seed
less. 1t will bear frost and WI |
grow in higher ATTITUDES than the
ordinary lime.
Alta Paz, Lower California, where
the soil is alluvial and sandy, they
cultivate the lima chichona or
"sweet teat lime" which weighs COM
monty from II to IA ounces and is
very delicious. .
The lime tree is of a low bushy
habit and it is only necessary to trim
away the low branches from off the
ground and remove the exhausted
and dry branches. The culture is
very simple, consisting only of keep
ing the trees free from weeds, and
irrigating during the dry months. 1t
Aourishes best in light soil near the
sea, but it delights in good soil and
needs a large degree of moisture.
Protracted drought is particularly
fatal to the lime tree. 1t is hardy
plant, however, and will thrive and
be fruitful in poor soils. In high
elevations the lime shows tendency
to assume the form of lemon and
to become thicker skinned, while
nearer the sea they are smaller,
more globular, and thinner skinned.
1t is quick and prolific bearer
and will bring its owner a revenue
more quickly than any other of the
citrus fruits. 1t is planted from the
seed. which should be selected from
the largest and most perfect fruit,
1t does not "sport' like the orange
and lemon, but always comes true to
seed, and the fruit is sure TO be the
same quality as the parent. 1t
grows rapidly and produces fruit in
three years, coming into full bearing
at about eight years, when it will
continue to produce 5000 to 5000
lllDCo diHudilJ
They are generally planted 10 feet
apart or 100 to the acre, but modern
groves are set out 20 feet apart or
100 to the acre. Like all the citrus
family, they are of great longevity
and the lime will attain an age Of 90
years in a good soil and with but
little care.
The method of planting is about
the same as for the orange. The
seeds should never be allowed to dry
off before planting, but if not con-
veuient to plant at once let them re-
main in the rotting pulp, or put them
in a box Of sand saturated with
water, and kept in shady place;
but do not water again, for it will rot
the seeds they may be thus kept
for several weeks, but cannot be
kept after they show signs of sprout-
ing. Only plump seeds should be
selected, for only these will make
thrifty growers. If only limited
number of seeds are to be planted,
it is better TO place them at once iii
small boxes. If by the hundreds, in
large nursery boxes; or if by the
thousands, in open ground nurseries.
Saw for small seed bed, make boxes
foot deep, two wide and as long as
COMMUNICATING bottom is necessary.
Fill each box with one part of light
soil, one part of sane, and one part
of welI-rotted manure, and pack it
firmly and thoroughly, saturate 1t
with water, make parallel grooves
about one inch deep and about six
inches apart, and drop in the seeds
about three inches apart, covering III
tie soil and pressing it down firmly
with a piece of board. Do not water
more than once a week, for the seeds
will rot if the soil is too wet; it
should be moist. The boxes should
be placed in the sunlight and pro-
tected from the fierce rays OF the sun
by mulching of moss or straw, or
by awnings of coarse bagglng or
mu slim. The seeds will be up in
about two weeks. When the plants
are about twelve to eighteen inches
high, they are ready to be removed to
the nursery, and may be transplanted
into separate boxes or into an open
on site similar to where they are
eventually to grow, and protected as
far as possible from high winds.
The nursery should be well prepar-
ed, receive a dressing of manure,
and laid out in rows to facilitate
cultivation. There should be four