THE SHADDOCK has been distributed over a very wide range of country. Seeman says that it is "extremely common about the Fiji Isles, covering the banks of the rivers." De Candolle says "In China the species has a simple name, Yu, but its written character appears too complicated for a truly indigenous plant." It is said to be common in China and Cochin China, and also remarked that in the islands to the east of the Malay Archipelago, the clearest indications of its former existence in a wild state are found.

Shaddock was the name of a captain who first introduced the species into the West Indies. The names pomelo and grape-fruit are probably local names given it since it came to Europe. The name grape-fruit probably comes from the manner in which the fruit is born on the tree. It hangs in clusters, like the grape, twenty or more forming a bunch. The amount of fruit a tree will produce is surprising.

There are three distinct forms of shaddocks. The largest form is called pomelo, then comes the shaddock, and the smallest, the grape-fruit variety. Another variety is called pink shaddock, from the red color of the fruit. I am at a loss to know whether this was one of the distinct forms imported by Captain Shaddock, for De Candolle, in his "Origin of Cultivated Plants," makes no mention of it. Its introduction, I think, took place long after the orange was brought here, for in no case have I found the grape-fruit wild ; and both the sweet and bitter sweet oranges, as well as the lemon, are found in a wild state.

There have been several importations of shaddocks from India and other countries, but in no case have I found the specimens to be improvements over those 6rst introduced. There have been, however, very decided improvements in our varieties during the last decade. The form in some instances has become somewhat changed ; the size has become smaller, the skin is thinner, and there is less seed and "rag" in the fruit. The quality has been changed from the pungent acid of the old form to a delicious sweet flavor. All of these changes, so far as I have seen, have been produced by chance seedlings, some of which have been more or less preserved by budding. I am very much inclined to the belief that often they are accidentally crossed with the orange. One variety, I might mention, the Aurantium pomelo, as the name implies, partakes of both the sweet orange and shaddock flavors. It is said to have been produced by an orange seed. This tree has the form of the orange, while the fruit is produced in clusters, thus combining the distinctive features of both.

In quality, to many tastes, this variety is superior to the orange. The bitter principle of the shaddock is retained, but it is so blended with the sweet and acid of the orange that it forms a flavor which is particularly agreeable. It would be but speculation to attempt to account for these changes, yet I believe that our peculiar climate, which in other instances has brought about pomological changes that scientists of other sections have told us could not be, has caused this remarkable fruit, when crossed with the orange, to retain the health-giving principle of the parent grapefruit, that is so highly spoken of by our best physicians, and at the same time to acquire the luscious, sweet flavor of the orange. In the orange markets there is a rapidly increasing demand for the common grape-fruit, and I believe that with the introduction of these improved varieties, the demand will so increase that the shaddock will become more popular than the orange itself. Jambs Mott.

Orlando, Fla.