LOCAL GRAPEFRUIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21516, 13 June 1933, Page 14

LOCAL GRAPEFRUIT

BETTER POORMAN'S ORANGE PROGRESS IN CULTIVATION Large quantities of locally-grown oranges of different varieties, generally described as the Poorman's orange, are now coming on to the market. During the last few seasons they have met with an increasing demand for use as breakfast fruit, for marmalades, preserves and fruit drinks, and as a substitute for imported grapefruit. The improved seedless types have little relationship to other varieties grown elsewhere, or even to the original New Zealand Poorman's orange. Last year they were described by London experts as "largo in size with flesh of a beautiful tangerine colour." Tho fruit was really introduced by Sir Georgo Grey, who described it as the "poor mail's orange," owing to its wonderful productivity. As far as is known the first propagating wood was given by Sir George to the late Mr. Morrison, father of Mr. Edward Morrison, of Warkworth, about 1863. Later bud materials were given to two other horticulturists, the late Messrs. David Hay and C. T. Wren. All distributed trees, which succeeded well, and some are over 60 years old. In process of timo it was found that some trees developed distinct strains, as is not unusual with citrus varieties. Some were producing largo fruits practically free from seeds, with only a minimum amount of "rag," and with just tho necessary suspicion of bitterness to give the pronounced flavour of a breakfast fruit. These improved strains have been carefully selected for some years by the citrus officer acting under the citrus committee of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. Through the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research thev have been distributed for propagating purposes to nurseries applying for them. As tho younger trees from the better strains come into bearing, tho supply of the best breakfast types will naturally increase. ( For some 'timo the nomenclature committee of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture has been searching for a suitable and distinctive name under which tho breakfast type of fruit may be packed and marked. Its pronouncement should mark a definito stage in citrus culture in the Dominion.