THE OUTLOOK FOR TROPICAL FRUITS 5 



highly useful, most remunerative, and intensely interesting 

 work before us." 



It is to this field that attention must be devoted, if the agri- 

 cultural development of the tropics is not to become even more 

 one-sided than it is to-day. British horticulturists in India and 

 Ceylon, French in the Oceanic colonies, and American in the 

 subtropical parts of California and Florida, as well as in the 

 West Indies, Hawaii, and the Philippines, have done notable 

 work during the past quarter of a century; yet when their 

 achievements are considered alongside the possibilities, it is 

 evident that hardly has a beginning been made with this 

 promising field. 



" Botanicus verus," said the great Linnaeus, " desudabit in 

 augendo amabikm scientiam," - "The true botanist will sweat 

 in advancing his beloved science." Even so must the inves- 

 tigator who undertakes to further the progress of tropical 

 pomology expect to find hard work, at times under trying 

 climatic conditions, to sweat indeed, unless his lot is 

 cast in the delightful climate of the tropical highlands, or in 

 subtropical regions such as California and Florida. But the 

 subject is one which offers such a wealth of fascinating problems 

 and gives promise of such valuable results, that for a long 

 time to come it can hardly fail to attract the needful few among 

 the many whose tastes incline them toward pomological pur- 

 suits. 



It is indeed fortunate for our country that its boundaries 

 include areas where certain of the most valuable tropical fruits 

 can be cultivated. Of these areas, the warmer parts of Florida 

 and California seem destined, by reason of their favorable 

 situation with respect to the great centers of our population, 

 to take the lead in the production of such fruits for supplying 

 the northern markets. The advantageous climate of these 

 states as regards living and working conditions, as compared 

 with the tropics, makes it probable also that they will be the 



