The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-05-24
1t VIII Destroy

subtropical countries Species not heretofore
cultivated are likely to be discovered only in the
poorly explored parts of Asia and POlynera.
Carefully selected varieties, the result OF three
centuries OF careful gardening to be found
only in Italy, Franceand Span chance varieties
and sports are, however, likely to occur wherever
citrus fruits grow. Some of these sports are
likely of great worth though they would not at
tain more than local celebrity or even remain I'M
noticed by the natives Considering the num-
Der and rem Oteness of these sources new epe.
cjes and new varietiesit is highly improbable that
ANYTHING like all the valuable varieties now
in the State.
The orange belongs to the tribe Aurante@ Of
the'great family Rutace@. This tribe comprises
the close relations of the genus Citrus such as
Aegle septeria commonly called citrus trifoata)
Feronia Elephantum and Limonia Cor Trpha-
sia) trifoliata.
Now all told the number OF species Of Aurantea
hitherto introduced into Florida does not exceed
eight or nine OF course it must be remembered
that the species accepted by bOtanists are
very comprehe known varieties of cit
rus being referred by some to single species by
others to two, but more commonly to four or five.
The point would call especial attention to is
the fact that there are at least seventy known
species of the tribe Aurantea and probably iii
they were known as thoroughly as are the pines.
for example, there would be hundred listed.
Reflect what this means-that Of the possible
seventy only eight or nine species have been tes-
ted for the quality of their fruit. not half that
number for stocks and not q third in crossing
experiments! In case OF many of the now intro
duced species it is not known whether the fruit
is edible or not, and OF coursethey have not been
tested for stocks or in cross-pOlienatnG work!
What promising field for experiments!@Wha
chances for Improvement in citricuture there are
by using these species as stocks and crossings.
AS stated above, the character OF the fruit of
many of the orange allies is unknown. few
are, however, OF value. Of LimOnia Cor Tripha-
sia) trfoliata. TenisOn-W GODS says: 'The
Malays are passionately fond Of the fruit pre-
serves are made from the pulp" There are at
least three varieties
LIMoNIA COR GLYCosMIs) PENTA PHYLLA
Bailon says, is very much esteemed for it's edible
fruits.
LIMoNIA COR GLYCoAns) CITRIFoLIA
according to the same authority, is said to have
delicious fruits.
OF Muriaya exc tica, Tension Gods says, ''vaI-
ued for it's flowers. which are used in perfumery
and for it small succulent fruits The best kind
are grown at Menardo Celebes."
Penzig says of CIausenia Wampi (coolsia pune
tata) 1.-The mesocarps is ieshy and succulent
the flavor is very acceptable, fttle acidulus and
aromatic-except that the sharp perfume of the
ETHEREAL oils and resin pervades it little too
much
OF Clausenia Willdenvii, Oliver says, Lieut..
Beddome has favored me with specimens of this
Clausenia from the AnamalIy Hills, India,
where it bears delicious fruit, somewhat similar
I think. in size to that of the Wampi (Clausenia
Wampi) The fruit of Aegle MarmelOs the ''bael"
of India, is much used in medcine-aIso for Jelly
and preserves; the mucus about the seeds is
used as size in varnish.
OF Feronia elephantum, TenisOnWOod says,
the pulp is value for preserves and incidentally.
1t yields lac and a gum like gum arabic.
These extracts are enough to show that many
of the citrus allies worthy OF trial for their
fruits alone, regardless of their value stocks,
Rnd in crossing every one will admit. think, that
i would certainly be of great interest, and very
likely of great value to test Limonia laureola.
OAths interesting species Wallace says, it is the