400 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



THE STRAWBERRY TREE 



The Spanish madrono (Arbutus unedo) is now quite widely grown, 

 chiefly as an ornamental shrub or tree. The growth is exceedingly 

 beautiful if kept free' from scale insects, the fruit ranging as it ripens 

 through shades of yellow, orange, and deep red, and contrasting beau- 

 tifully with the glossy evergreen foliage. The fruit is of pleasant 

 flavor. 



MELON SHRUB 



This plant (Solanum Guatemalense) is a small, half-herbaceous 

 shrub from the table-land of Guatemala. The fruit is yellow, splashed 

 with violet, somewhat of the shape of the egg-plant, but is usually 

 seedless, and is readily propagated from cuttings. There are thriving 

 plants in many protected places in the State, and some fruit reaches the 

 market, but few seem to like the flavor, which is something like a 

 tomato and melon mixed. Its greatest use will probably be for salads. 



THE MELON TREE 



The melon pawpaw (Carica papaya) has been widely introduced 

 experimentally in this State, and many situations are found unfitted 

 for its growth, but satisfactory fruiting has been secured at several 

 places in southern California, especially if protected the first year it 

 will stand light frosts afterwards. With Mr. Cammack, at Whittier, 

 Los Angeles County, it ripens fruit the third year from the seed the 

 fruit being pleasant to eat as one would a mushroom. The large fig- 

 like leaves and the peculiar markings of the trunk make the tree a 

 very striking object. 



THE PRICKLY PEAR 



The tuna, or fruit of the cactus (Opuntia vulgaris), is produced in 

 nearly all parts of the State except on the mountains. It was one of 

 the old mission fruits, and was enjoyed by the early mining population 

 until better fruits were available. It is about as large as a medium- 

 sized pear, and has a pleasant acid flavor is one succeeds in escaping 

 the prickels in getting at the interior of the fruit. The tuna is still a 

 commercial article in a small way.* Plants are grown readily from cut- 

 tings of the fleshy leaves. 



Quite a distinction must now be made between the foregoing and 

 the smooth or spineless fruits which are superior in quality as well as 

 unarmed with prickles, and therefore readily handled and eaten. Varie- 

 ties more or less innocent in this respect were introduced from the 

 Mediterranean region many years ago, and propagated to a limited 

 extent. Recently Mr. Luther Burbank of Santa Rosa has undertaken 

 special work with the cactus, both for fruiting and forage purposes, 

 and has attained remarkable results which are attracting wide attention, 

 and upon which producing enterprises are being undertaken. 



*The tuna as food for man, by David Griffiths, Bulletin 116, Bureau of Pjant Industry. 



