ORCHARD CROPS 225 



The lime grows wild in the Malay Peninsula and India, and is 

 somewhat like the lemon. Limes are now grown and cultivated 

 in the West Indies, Florida, the southern parts of the Gulf States, 

 parts of Mexico, and other tropical countries. The tree is thorny, 

 and it bears white flowers somewhat smaller than those of the 

 lemon. The fruit is about the size of an apricot and is of a pale 

 greenish yellow color. It has a decided acid flavor. 



The grape fruit tree looks very much like an orange tree in 

 its general make-up, but it bears a large globular fruit with 

 heavy, thick rind. The flesh is of a whiter texture than the orange, 

 and is somewhat sour and bitter. It is -served raw as a dessert 

 and is also used in making preserves. It is grown in Florida, 

 California, Arizona, the Gulf States, Mexico, and other tropical 

 countries. The grape fruit is a native of the Malayan and Poly- 

 nesian islands, but it readily adapts itself to practically all regions 

 where oranges are grown. 



The fig is a native of Asia and Africa and has been cultivated 

 from the very earliest times. It grows well in Florida, Arizona, 

 California, and in nearly all the low country of Georgia, Alabama, 

 Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The tree is propagated from 

 cuttings from the roots planted in the fall or spring. The trees 

 are usually set from twelve to fifteen feet apart, and they begin 

 to bear the second year. Figs are sold raw for cooking purposes, 

 but many of them are dried and packed in boxes for shipment. 

 They are also used for making extracts and sirups. 



Dates. The date palm thrives the best in Asia and Africa, 

 but it has now been found that it will grow successfully in Cali- 

 fornia and Arizona. Its commercial value in these States lies 

 in the fact that it will grow in regions thought to be worthless for 

 farming, and that it will endure more heat, drought, and alkali 

 than any other plant. The date palms begin to bear at five 

 years of age, but do not come into full bearing until they are ten 

 or twelve years old, and they continue to bear for a hundred 

 years or more. Each plant when mature will bear from three 

 hundred to five hundred pounds of dates. The world's supply of 

 dates comes chiefly from the Persian Gulf regions in Asia, but 

 some reach us from Egypt, Sahara, and adjacent regions. 



The guava tree in its size and general appearance is very 



PR A P. AGRICFL. 15 



