124 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF GREEN PLANTS 



amount of protein. Canning green corn, peas, beans, and toma- 

 toes has become an important industry. 



Orchard and Other Fruits. — In the United States over one 

 hundred and seventy-five million bushels of apples are grown every 

 year. Pears, plums, apricots, peaches, and nectarines also form 

 large orchards, especially in California. Nuts form one of our 



important articles of food, 

 largely because of the large 

 amount of protein contained 

 in them. 



The grape crop of the 

 world is commercially valu- 

 able, because of the raisins 

 and wine produced. The 

 culture of lemons, oranges, 

 and grapefruit has come 

 in recent years to give a 

 living to many people in 

 this country as well as in 

 other parts of the world. 

 Figs, olives, and dates are 

 staple foods in the Mediter- 

 ranean countries and are 

 sources of wealth to the 

 people there, as are coco- 

 nuts, bananas, and many 

 other fruits in tropical 

 countries. 

 Beverages and Condiments. — The coffee and cacao beans, and 

 leaves of the tea plant, products of tropical regions, form the basis 

 of very important beverages of civilized man. Pepper, black and 

 red, mustard, allspice, nutmegs, cloves, and vanilla are all products 

 manufactured from various fruits or seeds of tropical plants. 



Alcoholic liquors are produced from various plants in different 

 parts of the world, the dried fruit of the hop vine being an 

 important product of New York State used in the making of 

 beer. 



Picking apples, an important crop in some 

 parts of the United States. 



