The herald., 1895-03-25
GRAPE FRUIT QUITE POPULAR
II Is Bringing Better Prices Than Those
for Oranges
For Many Years II Was Grown Because
the Tree Was BEAUTIFUL Its
Value Demonstrated

What was at one time looked upon in
California as an outcast among fruits is
now apparently destined. as the result
OF an Eastern fau, to become one of the
most profitable fruits grown in the state,
says the San Francisco Call This is the
grape fruit, or what is more commonly
known here as the pomelo
For many years it has been grown as q
shade tree and its fruit viewed simply as
a curiosity. Its medicinal qualities, how
ever, have brought ii into great favor sud-
denly, and there is every prospect that
the demand for it will be permanent.
Some very interesting facts are given re-
garding this peculiar fruit in recent re-
port made to the State Board Of llorti-
culture by its secretary, b. Nj. Lelong
1t says:
The pomelo is a variety of the shad-
dock. There ara many varieties in culti-
vation. and OF late they have met with
great favor in the Eastern markets. They
vary greatly in size, but are generally large
and weigh all the way from half pound
to five pounds. In color they resem BILE a
cition. The skin is very smooth and the
pulp is subacid. The tree is very orna-
mental, has large deep green foliage, is
semi-dwarf and a native of China and
Japan. There is practically only one
variety SO far known in the market, and
that is the sour, bitterrind variety.
A few years ago there was no sale for
this fruit, and it was permitted to go to
waste. Now it sells readily for from ". so
to IS box. with u steady demand.
The pomelO was used for many years in
hot climates to correct acidlty OF the
stomach and other troubles of the digest
i've organs. For several years past ply
sicians have prescribed it for invalids
with disordered stomachs, and in many
cases it is a specific.
The great medicinal value OF the grape
fruit is not generally known outside of
Florida. where it Is largely known,
although in some of the larger cities the
sales are quite large and increasing. Its use
cures dyspeptic troubles, constipation and
other troubles OF the stomach and bowels.
The daily use OF grape fruit for month
will cure the most obstinate case of indi-
gestion
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 ont
into u tumbler. In this way the bitter
taste in the rind is avoided. They are al
ways refreshing, and the demand is
greater than the supply, prices running
better than Tor oranges. They are also
made more palatable by seasoning the
pulp with sugar or sweet wine. The
name grape fruit is said to come from
the form the fruit assumes on the tree,
being produced III clusters, often twenty
or more of the fruit in a bunch. Many
people find the great number of seeds con-
tanned in them great objection, and long
continued efforts have been made to pro-
cure a seedless variety. 1t is claimed
that this has been accomplished by G. M.
Marsh of Lakeland, 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 some
what darker than the ordinary grape
fruit but the rind has that peculiar bitter
flavor which is so highly esteemed for
medicinal purposes.
There is no question that the pomelo
will be valuable addition to the fruit
crops produced in this state. 1t can be
grown successfully wherever other citrus
fruits thrive,ibut the warmer the climate
the better it will do. 1t is wonderfully
prolific bearer. and the tree natures its
fruit in the second or third year. 1t has
never been grown on large scale for
commercial purposes, its cultivation in
the past having been mainly for orna-
menial use Few people have become
fond OF it at once, it's popularity being
due to an acquired taste. Once, however,
the taste has been cultivated for it, it re-
mains.