The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-05-19
CEWILlh2T EXFNT- m HLOCW

wy THE following report Consul VIII
n liam W Canada OF Vera Cruz de.
scribes the leading tropical fruits
Of southern Mexico which are
readily grown and may be shipped
considerable distances In the
state OF Vera Cruz. from the coast up
To an altitude Of $500 tcct above sea
level. conditions for fruit culture pre-.
vail which are better than any TO be
found in any region further north OF
the Pacific slope of this republic, but
these facts SEINE to have been entirely
overlooked by investors and no serious
attempt has yet been made to develop
its fruit Industry While In tnc north.
eastern part OF the republic In many
places II Is necessary to irriEate the
lands and the orchards are annually
exposed to danger from frosts, the
southcrly region, along he coast Of tho
FerrOcarrll Vera Cruz al lstmo. has
abundant rainfall and Is free from cold
sufficient to injure the fruit trees In.
digenOus to this part or those which
have so long grown In Mexico as to be
considered as almost native to the
soil. Tho Importance OF these two
facts can scarcely be ovcrcstmated in
the consideration Of fruit culture.
Among the native fruits are mum
Der which grow in profusion. which
will easily stand shipping. and which
ar almost unknown to the outside
world, while their delicious flavor
would insure them ready market at
remuncratiye prices. as they come In
when fruits are not abundant in other
localities
The Chrimoya Anona Humboltanla,
variety OF the custard apple, may be
found growing wild In widely ex.
tended section OF the gulf slope This
fruit in an uncultivated state is small
and much inferior to that grown under
favorable conditions. In all the towns
/: villages in the state of Vera Cruz,
and at an altitude of from $500 to
4 900 feet, 1t is grown In small orchards
and attains quite a large size. Speci.
mems from four to five inches in d.
ameter are not uncommon. the flavor
OF which is most delicious when well
ripened. In this state the flesh Is OF
soft custard consistency with n pro.
nounced vanilla favor. Cut when ma.
tur2d but not yet ripe. It will stand
shipment for long distances very we'll
There should be no difficulty in send.
ing this fruit by rail or water route to
American northern cities.
The guayaba or gunva. psydium sp..
which is native to this section, offers
great possibilities TO the cultivator OF
I ,pical fruits. The guayaba is found
nearly everywhere throughout the trop.
tcal region, but as yet little or nothing
has been done toperfect the fruit by cul.
tivation. In all parts of the gulf slope
fl fiourishes. growing in dense thickets
I'm many places. Naturally the fruit in
it's wild state is rather small and in.
feriOr In other respects. but when the
tree is given fair chance, even with.
out cultivation It attains height OF
from 10 to IS feet. and the fruit will
be from two to three inches In diane.
ter. Its flavor Is well known through
the famous guava jelly. There are sew.
eral varieties OF this fruit. the most
common varieties being the red apple.
shaped and the yellow pear.shaped. !
The pineapple is cultivated TO con.
siderable extent in the region border.
ing on the gulf. near Vera Cruz. and
with satisfactory results. 1t grows to
"A good size and Is OF fine flavor. II
seems to flourish at any altitude UNI
der 1000 feet above SEA level. and |
comes into bearing in one year, There |
ARE two varieties grown in this section