VARIOUS SPECIES OF FRUITS 



177 



pink flowers; second, be- 

 cause of their fruits (Fig. 

 111). The pink or crimson 

 pulp which surrounds the 

 seeds, though acid in some 

 varieties and in others a 

 very refreshing sub-acid, 

 is valued for desserts, 

 punches, salads, for stew- 

 ing with sugar and for 

 making very refreshing 

 beverages. The sweet 

 varieties have a delicacy 

 and sprightliness unique 

 among fruits. 



The shrub does best 

 on moist but well- 

 drained, rather heavy soils, 



Fig. 112. Best way to open a Pomegranate 



though it will grow on a wide range from almost pure sand to heavy 

 clay. On the former yields are smaller and the fruit less desirable than 

 on the latter. Early Spring planting is best. Preferably the soil 

 should have been in cultivation in previous years. Semi-monthly 

 tillage during the growing season and fertilizing as for other tree fruits 

 are all that is necessary. About the only pruning needed is to remove 

 the superfluous suckers, dying or crossing branches, and the shortening 

 of any too rampant growths. 



The bush form is generally preferred to the tree style of training. 

 The fruit is borne terminally on short spurs of slow maturing wood 

 which bears for several seasons, when younger wood does duty. Most 

 of the fruit is borne towards the outside of the tree, little in the center. 

 Hence pruning except as above must be done intelligently so as not to 

 remove too much fruiting wood. Well-grown fruits often weigh two to 

 three pounds. The knack of opening the fruit is to cut a' disc from the 

 bulging calyx end, then to cut the hard rind along the partition walls, 

 to force the segments apart and to remove the pulpy seeds for use 

 (Fig. 112). 

 PAPER SHELL. A very large pale yellow, crimson-cheeked fruit with 



very sweet flesh of good quality. Noted as a home-fruit variety. 

 RUBY (Spanish Ruby), A large, bright red, crimson-fleshed, juicy, sweet, 



aromatic fruit. One of the best. 

 SWEET FRUITED and SUB-ACID are two other leading varieties grown 



largely and listed by Southern and California nurserymen. 

 WONDERFUL, considered the best variety, is a glossy, purplish red with 



deep crimson, very juicy flesh of excellent, rich flavor. 



