FRUITS 241 



it has not been sufficiently studied to determine the 

 real nature of the disease nor to suggest a remedy. 

 A leaf disease also occurs, but on the whole this fruit 

 is unusually free from serious troubles. 



The native wild persimmons, so common through- 

 out the South, are gathered and shipped to market 

 from some sections. During recent years some 

 attention has been given to selecting the best of 

 these and bringing them into cultivation, but as yet 

 this has not passed the experimental stage. 



Subtropical Fruits 



The various citrus fruits easily overshadow all 

 the others that can properly be classed as sub- 

 tropical. Of these oranges, pomelos (grape fruit), 

 lemons, limes, and citrons are of most importance. 

 Other subtropical fruits are the fig, pomegranate, and 

 olive. 



Figs (^Ficiis). — The fig must be classed as sub- 

 tropical, although when in the dormant condition the 

 tree will stand considerable cold. It can be grown 

 with some success as far north as central Alabama 

 and Mississippi, for although at this latitude fre- 

 quently frozen to the ground by hard winters it 

 sprouts readily from the roots and often bears fruit 

 on these new shoots the first season. 



The fig will grow on a great variety of soils, but if 

 not naturally rich they should be well fertilized. 

 It has a shallow rooting habit, and only very shallow 

 cultivation should be given after the trees gain 

 much size. Deep plowing is very detrimental. In 

 fact, at the South the ideal location for figs is found 



