The herald., 1894-01-07
TROPICAL FRUIT CULTURE,
Some of Its Features in This
State.
The Portion of Southern California
Suited to 1t.
Climatic Conditions and Character OF
the SOFIA Great Variety
OF Strange Pro-
ducfs.

Pacific Rural Press At the last meet
ing OF the Southern California Pomologi-
cal society, Mr.. J. @. Harvey of Los An
geles read carefully prepared essay
which will be read with interest by all
horticultural amateurs at least, and
every commercial fruit grower should be
in certain senses an amateur. We are
glad to put these facts on record in our
columns:
Tropical fruit culture presupposes a
set of climatic conditions somewhat diff
ferent from those prevailing in even the
most favored section OF Southern Cali
fornis. No country, properly speaking,
can 10 said to have tropical climate,
whose mean temperature for the three
coldest months Of the year is less than
65 degrees Fab. the knowledge Of this
fact has doubtless deferred many from
any attempt to cultivate tropical fruits.
Within certain limitations, however,
many tropical plants develop unexpected
powers OF adsptsbility, or perhaps more
correctly speaking, powers OF endur-
ance, the plants remaining dormant
which period root action practically
ceases. II, owing to favorable condi-
tions of soil, freedom from frost or other
local causes, this period OF inactivity be
not unduly extended, the vigor OF the
plant remains unimpaired, and with the
return of higher temperatures root action
and consequent growth again commence.
Before proceeding to enumerate such
hf,lA ,t,f of
success, it will be essential to consider
the localities best adapted to their cult
ure. Most Of us have no doubt observed,
on ascending any moderate eminence
during the coldest of our December or
January nights, very perceptlbIe in
crease OF temperature. In many in
stances this is the difference between a
killing frost in the adjoining hollow
and total exemption on higher ground.
from which we are taught to avoid low
lying areas. 1t is almost needless to
say that southern exposure with a
reasonable slope will be warmer tn an
one toward the north, while, if the more
favorable situation is still further forti-
fed by adjoining mountains to the
north, or even substantial windbreaks,
so much the better.
equal Importance. Heavy, adhesive
coils, cnderlaid by road or hard pan, az
ford poor drainage and become excess
lively cold and sodden during winter
rains, causing the destruction of the
roots of most tropical plants. AS the re-
suit OF my own experience and observa-
tion, | am inclined to the opinion that
granitic soil, carrying considerable
nkob 10 h. - n k1s
perfect drainage, offers the best possible
conditions.
Commencing at a point somewhere
near Cresrenta Canada, and extending
eastward close to the base of the Sierra
Madse range, there are many situations
where at most but the slightest frosts
occur, and then only at long intervals.
The lands along the base of the
Cahuenga hills enjoy equal immunity
fIom frosts, and doubtless as much can
be said for certain areas in San Diego
county. The lands in the Montecito,
near Santa Barbara, are also peculiarly
sheltered. No arbitrary distinctions
can, however. be made, and no doubt
there are other places entitled to the
same recognition Tor comparative ex-
exption from FROST l think the total
area where it can truthfully be said that
frost never occurs is very limited in
deed. The area where very slight and
infrequent frost occurs is, of course,
much larger; it lie, therefore, only with
such locations that we propose to deal
always providing that water supply be
at hand,
Taking up the Alligator pear: 1t is
proper to cay that this fruit is not in
rwrax I~eA - A. -
bears come resemblance in form.
Botanically 1t is Persea gratissima,
which, with its allies, forms genus OF
Lsurace2. 1t is handsome evergreen
tree, and, in the typical form, bears
elliptical leaves from % to inches in
width, narrow toward the base and
about inches long. In some varieties
the new growth is OF a reddish brown,
ultimately becoming deep green. The
fruits are pear shaped, about the size OF
a Bartlett pear, and contain a single
rather large seed. When ripe, the
skin, which is much thinner than that
OF an orange, parts easily from the pulp,
which is of a moderately firm though
buttery consistency, and forms, with
lime juice or pepper and salt one OF the
most delicious salad5 known to epi-
cures. Indeed, the fruit is a perfect
mayonnaise in itself. Few persons fail to
like it, even at first, and in countries
where it ie common is esteemed above
all other vegetable productions, both by
natives and foreigners alike. The pulp
is quite rich in bland and most agree
able oil, said to be very nutritious.
the tree attaius height OF from 25 to
80 feet, and forms a handsome object
when literally cultivated. have found
the tree gross feeder; the roots are
very abundant and rather coarse, of q
light reddish-brown color, with white
and very brittle feshy spongioles or
feeding rootlets. Good sized trees carry
large crop, which, alter attaining a
certain size, can be picked at intervals
OF week or two extending over q
period OF two or three months. the
fruits In each instance ripening in a
week or 10 days after gathering: and q
very remarkable TACT il that the quality
or flavor of the last picking seems inst
the same as the fret. There are two or
three bearing trees about Montecito
and one or more in Los Angeles. The
fruit bears transportation well, il shin
ped coon after gathering. Alligator
pears bring from rs 10 80 cents each in
New York, San Francisco and Philadel.
pbia.
Bananas have been grown here for
many years, mainly as ornamental snb.
jecte. the fruit produced being of very
poor quality. no DOUBT owing to the
variety being inferior. In the tropics q