402 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



type ; the thin-skinned, because of its greater frost resistance. Califor- 

 nians have still much to learn of this fruit both in its cultural and com- 

 mercial aspects. At the California Nurserymen's convention of 1913 

 Mr. J. S. Armstrong of Ontario gave the following review of varieties 

 now being propagated : 



The thin skinned sorts are much the hardier, some excellent types of which 

 are now fruiting with us. The best of these I may mention : The Harman, the 

 Ganter, the Northup, the Fowler and the Chappelow. Last winter (1913) young 

 trees of these hardy types withstood from five to fifteen degrees of frost without 

 serious injury where the trees had been allowed to harden up. One twelve- 

 year-old seedling tree in the colder part of the valley withstood a temperature 

 of 12 degrees above zero. The ends of the branches were nipped, but the main 

 branches were not injured. 



The thick skinned varieties are not as resistant to extremes of heat or cold, 

 however, as the former mentioned types, hence are recommended only for 

 planting in more favored localities. Among the best known thick-skinned 

 varieties are the Taft, Lyon, Wagner, Meserve, and Walker. Of these the Taft 

 is undoubtedly the best. It is pear shaped, weighing a pound or over. On Mr. 

 C. P. Taft's grounds near Orange the original is a large spreading tree which 

 usually bears several hundred fruits annually. 



As there is an uncommonly great variation in the time of blooming 

 and also in the period required for the fruit of different types of trees 

 to come to maturity, an orchard may be obtained by selection which 

 will bear continuously. This is of course very desirable to the con- 

 sumer and immaterial to the market grower, as there is plenty of 

 demand at all times. 



THE WHITE SAPOTA 



There are two old trees in Santa Barbara, one believed to have 

 survived from the mission planting in the early part of the last century, 

 the other half as old, of the white sapota (Casimiroa edulis). Dr. 

 Franceschi commends the tree for every garden. Mr. Harvey of Los 

 Angeles describes the sapota as growing with him from seed from 

 Vera Cruz as follows: 



This tree endures slight frosts unharmed. It is indigenous in northwest Mex- 

 ico and is remarkable among the Aurantiacea, producing green colored flowers, 

 and superficially bears little resemblance to an otherwise well-marked order of 

 plants. The fruits are the size of apples, and are esteemed in that portion of 

 Mexico where it is common; according to some botanical authorities it is not 

 considered altogether wholesome, possessing narcotic properties. The pulp is 

 described as possessing a delicious, melting, peach-like taste. 



Mr. Taft reports the sapota as bearing well with him. The tree is 

 an exceedingly rapid grower, much after the habit of the walnut, but 

 evergreen. In August and September the peach-like fruit, greenish 

 yellow, with large seeds shaped life those of an orange, matures well 

 and is excellent, this being the normal season for ripening. At other 

 times fruit is often found, but is apt to be worthless and even dangerous. 

 As it will not ripen well off the trees and must be quite soft when 

 eaten, it will never be of much market value. 



