The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-20
GRAPEFRUIT is POPULAR.
IT Is BRINGING BETTER PRICES
THAN ARE OBTAINED FOR
ORANGES.
For MANY YEARS IT WAS GROWN
BECAUSE THE TREE WAS BEAUTI-
FUL-ITs VALUE.

What was at one time looked upon in
California as an outcast among fruits is
now apparently destined, as the result of
an Eastern fad, to become one of the most
profitable fruits grown in the State. This
is the grapefruit, or what. is more COM
monty known here as the pomelo.
For many years it has been grown as a
shade tree and it's fruit viewed simply as a
curiosity It's medicinal qualities, how
ever, have suddenly brought it into great
favor, and there is every prospect that the
demand for it viii be permanent. Some
very interesting facts are given regarding
this peculiar fruit in recent report made
to the State Board of Horticul 5ure by its
secretary, B. Nj. Lelong. 1t says:
The pomelo is variety of the shaddock
There are many varieties in cultivation, and of
late they have met with great favor in the
but are generally large and weigh all the way
from hall pound to five pounds. In color
they resemble citron. The skin is very smooth
and the pulp is subacid. The tree is very orna-
dwarf, and native OF China and Japan,
There is practically only one variety so far
known in the market, and that is the sour,
bitter-rind variety.
few years ago there was no sale for this
fruit, and 1t was permitted to go 20 waste.
Now it sells readily for from 81 SO to So per
The pomelo was used for many years in hot
climates to correct acidity of the stomach and
other troubles of the digestive organs. For
several years past physicians have prescribed
it for invalids with disordered stomachs and
in many cases it is specific
The great medicinal value OF the grapefruit
is not generally known outside of Florida,
where it is largely grown, although in some of
the larger cities the sale Is quite large and in
creasing. Its use cures dyspeptic troubles, con-
stipation and other diseases of the stomach and
he dali If -frIrtf frr
month will Cure the most obstinate case of in
digestion.
Some people do not like it at first, but that is
because they do not know how to prepare it
for eating. The fruit should be cut in half and
the juice squeezed out into a tumbler. In
this way the bitter taste in the rind is avoided.
is greater than the supply, prices running
better than for oranges. They are also made
more palatable by seasoning the pulp with
sugar or sweet wine.
The name grapefruit is said to come from
the form the fruit takes on the tree, being
produced in clusters, often twenty or more OF
the fruit In a bunch.
Many people find the great number Of seeds
contained in them great objection, and long
continued efforts have been made to procure
seedless variety. 1t is claimed that this has
been accomplished by c. NJ Marsh of Lake
land, Fla. Mr.. Marsh, it is said, has now
young trees OF the new variety that are bearing
abundantly, and all true TO the strain. The
pulp is somewhat darker than the ordinary
grapefruit, but the rind has that peculiar,
bitter flavor which is so highly esteemed for
medical purposes.
There IS no question that the pomelo will be
a valuable addition to the fruit crops produced
in this State. 1t can be grown successfully
wherever other citrus fruits thrive, but the
warmer the climate the better it will do 1t is
q wonderfully prolific bearer, and the tree ma
lures its fruits in the second and third year.
1t has never been grown on large scale for
commercial purposes, its cultivation in the
past having been mainly for ornamental use.
Few people become fond of it at once, its popu-
larity being due to an acquired taste. once,
however, the taste has been cultivated for it 1t
remains,