CROPS OF THE COLONY. 71 



The pear grows vigorously in I'avines and on shaded slopes in the 

 mountain zone, especiall}^ in deep loamy and clayey soils. There are 

 a numl)er of native varieties of small value. Improved European 

 varieties rarely give satisfactory results. 



The apple is even less successful in Algeria, save in a few excep- 

 tional localities. 



Among fruits characteristic of warmer parts of the world, the 

 pomegranate should be mentioned. It is very hardy as to climate, 

 but needs a moist soil in order to give the best results. Under irriga- 

 tion good yields can be ol)tained. A number of types are grown in 

 Algeria, the l)est sweet fruit being exported and bringing a good 

 price. The l)etter sorts are propagated by cuttings. The spiny, 

 unimproved type of pomegranate is nuich us(k1 as a hedge plant. 



The Indian fig, or prickly pear, is al)undant in the coast region, 

 where it is almost perfectly naturalized. It also occurs in some of 

 the oases, but the high plateau region is generally too cold for it. 

 There are several ditierent races, some with yellow, some with red 

 fruit. A white-fruited variety, of ver}^ limited cultivation, is said to 

 [be the finest of all. Indian tigs are highly esteemed by the natives and 

 bv Spanish and Italian immigrants, but are rai'ely eaten by the French. 



Japanese (kaki) persimmons do well in most parts of the coast region 

 and promise to become one of the iniportant fruit crops of the colon}-. 

 The hxpuit is more sensitive to cold, but thrives in the littoral zone. 

 In a few sheltered places along the coast l)ananas can be successfulh' 

 grown, the ""tig banana" being the t3q3e that yields best in Algeria. 

 There is onh' a small area where the cultivation of such tropical fruits 

 as the guava, avocado, cherimoya, and pineapple is possible. 



In the Aures Mountains walnuts flourish. Phmtations of chestnuts, 

 established some years ago by the forestry service, are now bearing 

 al)undant crops. The acclimatization of the pecan is being attempted 

 b}^ the botanical service of the colony. 



TRUCK CROPS. 



A great many garden vegetables are grown in Algeria, among which 

 may be enumerated artichokes, asparagus, beans (broad, kidney, and 

 string), beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cardoon, carrots, cauliflower, 

 celer}, chick-peas, chicory, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, lentils, let- 

 tuce, melons, onions, peas, peppers, sorrel, spinach, squash, straw- 

 berries, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, and watermelons. Most of 

 these are grown chiefly for the local mai'kets. In the littoral zone, 

 however, the production in winter of early vegetables for export to 

 Europe is an industry of considerable importance, some 20,000 tons 

 being shipped out of the country every year. Artichokes, potatoes, 

 peas, and string beans are the most important of these. The growing 

 of early tomatoes for export is also becoming a profitable industr3^ 



