Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-12

plished practically nothing. 1t cannot
be the pocket that dictates such mig
gardliness; it is the heart or lack Of
intelligence to deal more wisely with
this great interest.
sRare Fruits of the Region of
California Bordering Oh San.
ia Barbara Channel.0
[BY II. c. FORD, PRESIDENT SANTA
BARBARA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,"
That portion of Santa Barbara
county lying between the Santa Inez
range of mountains and the Santa
Barbara Channel, with an east and
west trend of the shore line, having a
southern exposure, with projections
on land from the north winds in a
mountain wall from 5000 to 1000 feet
in heighr, and on the other chain of
outlying islands that breaks the force
of the summer trades, together with
the close proximity of a body Of water
which maintains a uniform tempera-
ture Of 62 degrees, renders this dis
trict fitted for the production of GER
tain fruits, some OF which are not
generally supposed to thrive without
protection within the limits of the
United States. The temperature of
this region seldom falls below 40 de-
grees or rises above 80 degrees, with
an average rainfall of IL inches. The
cherimoyer, white sapote, avocado,
date, banana and guava will not thrive
where there is much frost, while Ja-
pan persimmons, pomegranates and
loquats will bear a greater degree of
cold, and consequently will find a
wider range of growth in our country.
The Chrimoyer (Auona Cherimalia) J
is native of Peru, and Humboldt,
on his visit there, denominated it as
one of the most delicious fruits of the
earth. 1t was introduced into this
region about twenty-five years ago.
grounds of Mr.. A. Packard, Esq, has
attained its full height of sixteen feet,
and has produced abundant fruit for
many years in such perfection that
the seeds have readily germinated,
and trees thus propagated have been
in successful bearing in several Santa
Barbara gardens. The leaves are oval
and, pointed at both ends; flowers
solitary, very fragrant and having a
greenish color. Good specimens of
the fruit are three or four inches in
diameter, often heart shaped, grassy
brown or nearly black when fully
ripe. The flesh, in which thirty or
forty brown seeds are found, is soft,
sweet and pleasant to the taste, being
highly esteemed in it's own land both
by natives and foreigners. Like many
other tropical fruits it is most
palatable when near decay. By many
persons in this locality it is pro-
nounced excellent, while others speak
of it with indifference. Apparently it
has no particular reason Tor ripening
in this neighborhood, yet the best
specimens seem to be found at the
April and May exhibitions of fruit.
In the grounds, and occupied by one
of the Mission gardens is tree about
two feet in diameter, with sturdy, up
right branches forming a beautiful
head of dark green leaves This is
the white sapote (Casimiroa Fdulis)
and planted about ninety years ago
by one of the Mission fathers; as
near as can be ascertained, there is
another tree of the same species
growing in garden in the lower
part of the city Of Santa Barbara, that
came from seed received frsm Mexico
and planted about As years ago. 1t is
growing both wild and cultivated in
the States of Sinola and Durango, and
elsewhere in Mexico and is known
there as the Lapote blanco. 1t be-
longs to the Rutaceae and is more
nearly allied to the orange than any
other American plant. Its leaves
are palmeate, three to four parts with
glistening upper surface; flowers
small, greenish yellow, growing in
clusters with short peduncles on the
old wood. Here the tree is usually in
flower during January, often earlier,
the fruit maturing in March or April.
1t varies from half an inch to an inch
in diamete pale yellow in color and
is not agreeable to the taste until in
a soft state. 1t has a rich sub-acid
flavor, our native Californians being
exceedingly fond of the fruit. The
older tree is about 25 feet high and
has about the same spread of bran.
ches, while the younger is nearly as
large, both forming fine heads Of
dense evergreen foliage, making it
desirable as an ornamental tree fol
street or other planting, and would
no doubt bear the climatic conditions
eff many other localities.
A tree of the tropical species, ALI
gator Pear, or Avocado (Laurus persea)
is fourishing on the grounds of Mrs
F. Sawyer, of Montecito. 1t wa,
J planted by Mr.. Silas Bond sixteer
| years ago, and has borne fruit for thu
past three years, which has appeared
: at our horticultural exhibitions. Thi
, tree is almost twenty feet in height
} and appears in thriving condition
the bark is smooth, leaves oblong
: with prominent veins; flowers, yel
, lowish green; fruit, purple in color
with the dimensions of a medium
: sized pear, but more oval in shape
: It contains kernel, enclosed in sol
: rind, and yellowish pulp. The latte
u has the delicate, rich flavor of til
peach, yet to mo tastes much MOI
Il 0FsttiyingI IN the West Indies, th
9 hak klEnG - nopount e ~ M