The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-03-14

- ing of vegetarian doctrines
has influenced the popular taste, or the
unhealthy conditions of p~resent-day life
have given rise to 4 spontaneous de-
mand for the "ssindly fruits OF the
earth" cannot, perhaps, be determined;
but the fact remains that there never
was so much fruit consumed III Eng
land, in the history, at any rate, OF It's
markets, as there is to-day.
This popular demand has taken many
interesting turns. One is the plea for
cultivation of several of u wild ber-
ries; another is the extraordinary IN
crease in the consumption of bananas,
the imports Of which have risen an
nually during the last three OF -four
years by millions of punches.
And still another turn, the most
curious of all, is the growing demand
for strange foreign fruitS-welrdly-
shaped and colored vegetable bodies
which tie Covent Garden statesmen
would never display in their windows
and suffer the host of inQuIsltlVe
callers who merely ask questions were
it not that certain fruit-loring cpl
cures, who are increasing in numbers,
are always ready to pay a very high
price for them.
OF the new fruits which have been
introduced to London during the last
two or three years the monsteria de Ia
COSTA is perhaps the rarest M most
curious. 1t comes from Madeira and
Portugal, where the term used to de-
scribe it means "a squasby pine" Inc
fruit is like 4 long pine-cone, about
eighteen inches in length, and is eX-
tremely juicy. 1t is very luscious IN
taste and lis fragrance is delightful,
one cut fruit being sufficient to scent
q whole house.
Owing to the fact that it takes three
years to ripen, the monsteria is very
seldom obtainable at Covent Garden;
but as soon as a consignment reaches
the market, watchful epicures make
their appearance, and buy up every
specimen at from half q crown to three
shillings and siXpence each.
The tree upon which it grows IS a
species Of pine. 1t flowers prettijy,
then the green fruits appear. For
three seasons they hang, and then the
shell turns yellow, drops off, and the
perfectly ripened fruit is ready for
gathering. The inside Of the monsteria
is of a creamy color, and the de Ia
COSTA is stated to be the best of several
varieties OF the fruit.
The avocado, or alligator, pear comes
from Madeira and the West Indies, and
is the edible over which there has been
some controversy as to whether it is a
fruit or q vegetable. Experts have de-
cided that it is a fruit, though it is
popularity eaten as a savory. 1t has
The shape Of an ordinary pear, but in
color is of a distinct green, and green
est when ripe.
When the large stone in it's centre Is
removed there remains n delicately
favored pulp, which, when seasoned
with pepper, salt and vinegar, is eaten
with bread and butter. Some people
cut the end off an avocado, scoop out
the pulp, and eat it on a steak or chop.
Messrs. Kaufman, OF Covent Garden,
through whose hands all the new for
eign fruits in London pass, state that
The experienced will select the avocado
before any other fruit, and will often
gladly pay half a crown for q single
small specimen.
Two varieties of the ~granadillo, the
yellow, ~egg-shaped, and the purple,
orange-shaped, have been placed on the
market at various times during the
last two years. Both are popular, con-
sidering the great demand which every
small consignment which arrives in
London causes. The granadillos come
chiefly from the West Indies.
The custard apple, q product OF Por-
tugal and Madeira, is far better known
than the fruits already named, be-
cause during the last year or two con-
signments have increased greatly. Its
pulp is favored like rich custard, and
is very nutritious. Every fruit con-
tains several large pips, about the size
of beans.
Loquat nespra japonica seems ar
amazing name for a fruit no larger
than a lime, but those members Of the
London Stock Exchange who know the
thirst-quenching properties of the little
edible will be ready to forgive its name
Cor the sake of its value.
1t also is a product of MADEIRA, and
comparatively new to London; but in
July and August there is a certain
small dealer who sells large numbers
of loquat, etc, in the strenuous crowds
around ~Throgmorton street at one
penny each. The fruit is of a canary
yellow hue all through, and is full Of a
most refreshing juice. In hot countries
it is taken on long Journeys as q thirst
quencher.
Guavas have been arriving in London
from MADEIRA in increasing quantities
during the last two years and have
sold readily at from four to six
shilltngs a dozen. The guava is about
the same size as the lime, and has the
same feshy, stra wberry-pfnk interior.
The grape fruit, from Jamaica and
California, is, according to market &u-
thorities, becoming more popular every
month. One dealer has just completed
an arrangement by which he will in
future obtain a shipment of 1000 cases
each week. 1t is, perhaps, the best
known Of all these strange fruits,
tbonon most neonla will admit that the