THE ANNONACEOUS FRUITS 181 



per cent, acids 0.12 per cent, protein 1.53 per cent, total sugars 

 18.15 per cent, fat 0.54 per cent, and fiber 1.22 per cent. In 

 spite of its similarity in most chemical constituents, the sugar- 

 apple is not equal to the cherimoya in flavor. It has less 

 piquancy, less character than the latter. 



The climatic requirements of the tree are somewhat different 

 from those of its congeners. It delights in a hot and relatively 

 dry climate, such as that of the low-lying interior plains of 

 many tropical countries. In Central America it is rarely seen 

 at elevations greater than 2500 feet. In hardiness it ranks 

 between the soursop and the cherimoya. Mature plants 

 are not seriously injured by temperatures of 28 or 29 above 

 zero ; young ones may be killed at 30. . 



G. Marshall Woodrow x says : "A deep, very stony soil with 

 perfect drainage, enriched with decayed town sweepings, are 

 the conditions enjoyed by this hardy fruit tree." In other 

 regions it has been noted that it does well on rocky land, al- 

 though it is probable that it prefers a loose sandy loam. Since 

 it is rarely given systematic cultivation, little can be said regard- 

 ing cultural methods. F. S. Earle has found in Cuba that it 

 needs to be fertilized generously for the best results in fruit 

 production, and he recommends a commercial fertilizer con- 

 taining 3 per cent nitrogen, 10 per cent phosphoric acid, and 

 10 per cent potash. The sugar-apple withstands drought better 

 than many other fruit-trees. 



The methods of propagation employed are the same as with 

 the cherimoya. Shield-budding has given the most satisfactory 

 results in Florida. P. J. Wester has found that A. reticulata 

 and A. glabra are congenial stock-plants; seedling sugar- 

 apples are also used for the purpose, and are perhaps better 

 than those of a different species. 



Compared with other species of Annona, the sugar-apple 

 bears heavily. This does not mean, however, that the trees 

 1 Gardening in India. 



