58 
Citrus and Tropical Fruit Culture 
THE GUAVA 
The Guava belongs to the Myrtle family and is said 
to be a native of tropical America. While it may be 
used in many ways, its most general use is for jelly 
making for which purpose it is unexcelled. It is first 
mentioned in Gonzalo Hernandez de Oviedo's "Natural 
History of the Indies" written in the year 1526. 
STRAWBERRY GUAVA 
Fruit. Obovate to round in form, being from one to 
one and one-half inches in diameter, purplish red in 
color and medium thick skin. The flesh is pink next to 
the skin changing to a creamy white in the center and 
contains a number of small hard seed. When fully 
mature it has a sweet strawberry flavor. Makes excel- 
A handsome and symmetrical White Sapota tree. 
The tree rarely attains a height of more than twenty- 
five feet and for the first few years appears to be more 
of a shrub than a tree. Most varieties are very prolific 
and come into bearing at an early age. It is strictly a 
tropical fruit and should be grown only in sheltered 
places, although some varieties are more hardy and can 
be planted safely wherever oranges do well. 
It is not particular as to soil as it seems to do equally 
well on all classes of soil from the lightest sandy loam 
to the heaviest adobe, however it must have sufficient 
moisture to produce an abundance of good fruit. Only 
the hardier varieties are recommended for California 
planting; the Strawberry and Yellow Strawberry being the 
hardiest. 
lent jellies and can be eaten out of hand when thoroughly- 
ripe. Ripens October and November. 
Tree. More of a shrub than a tree, rarely attaining 
a height of more than twenty to twenty-five feet. Its 
glossy green leaves make it very attractive as an orna- 
mental plant. Quite hardy and will stand about the 
same temperature as the orange. 
History. It is a native of Brazil but at an early date 
was carried to China and for many years was considered 
to be a native of the latter country and was called the 
Chinese Guava. 
