182 FLORIDA FRUITS GUAVAS AND BANANAS. 



The other frost-proof guava resembles the Cattley, ex- 

 cept that the fruit is about twice as large, and is yellow. 

 Both of these guavas have a decided strawberry flavor. 

 The last mentioned is sometimes called the " yellow guava," 

 but the true name is " Chinese guava." 



These two varieties are scarce as yet, but this is a fault 

 that will mend as time goes on. The grower who plants 

 these need have no fear of frosts, and his yearly profits 

 will be assured without the necessity of winter protection, 

 except in rare cases, as they will survive a temperature 

 of 26. 



In selecting seed for planting guavas, and, indeed, any 

 other fruit, sow only those from the best specimens to be 

 obtained. This simple precaution will assure vigorous 

 plants and superior fruit. 



The guava, as a home fruit, is extremely valuable, tak- 

 ing the place of the peach in the North, to a great extent, 

 and continuing to ripen from the middle or end of July 

 until the beginning or middle of November, according to 

 the season. The frost-proof guavas are not unfrequently 

 found in bloom all the year around, and this is also the 

 case with the common guava, in localities removed from 

 the influence of cool weather. None of the guavas bear 

 all their blooms at one time and then are done for the year, 

 as is the case with the peach, apple, and kindred fruits. 

 The early spring bloom is, of course, that of the main 

 crop, but ripe fruit and new scattering buds may be seen 

 all through the season on the bush and stem. The various 

 modes of preparing this and other fruits for the table and 

 commercial purposes will be fully treated of in our con- 

 cluding chapter. 



THE BANANA. 



This favorite fruit is susceptible of cultivation only in 

 a much more limited area than any of the other Florida 



