266 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



ments short, converging, the eye closed ; fruit-cluster large, compact ; 

 surface downy, deep yellow in color; skin thick and tough; flesh 

 whitish, translucent, melting and very juicy; flavor subacid, very 

 pleasant ; quality good ; seeds commonly 4 or 5, the seed cavity not 

 large. Season March to June at Orange, California. 



This variety was originated by C. P. Taft of Orange, California, 

 in 1897. It is a productive variety, and the fruit-clusters are large 

 and handsome. 



Champagne. Shape oval to pyriform ; size large, weight 2 ounces, 

 length 1\ inches, breadth \\ inches; base tapering, slender; apex 

 flattened, rather narrow, the basin shallow, narrow, flaring, and the 

 calyx-segments broad, short, the eye small, open; fruit-cluster large, 

 loose ; surface deep yellow in color with a grayish bloom ; skin thick, 

 tough, somewhat astringent; flesh whitish, translucent, melting, and 

 very juicy, flavor mildly subacid, sprightly and pleasant ; quality very 

 good ; seeds 3 or 4, the seed cavity not large. 

 Season late April and May at Orange, Cali- 

 fornia. 



Originated by C. P. Taft at Orange, Cali- 

 fornia, in 1908. Taft considers it superior 

 to his other varieties in flavor. It is preco- 

 cious and productive. 

 FIG 32 The Premier Early Red. Shape oval pyriform to ob- 



loquat, of California origin lon S PY^orm ; size medium large, weight 2 

 which has been planted ounces, length 2 finches, breadth If inches ; 

 commercially. (X i) base tapering slightly ; apex broad, flattened, 



with the basin shallow, narrow, abrupt, the 



calyx-segments short, broad, the eye small and closed; fruit-cluster 

 compact ; surface yellowish orange, tinged with red in the fully ripe 

 fruit ; skin thick, tough, acid ; flesh pale orange, translucent, melting 

 and very juicy; flavor very sweet, pleasant; quality good; seeds 2 

 or 3, the seed cavity not large. Season February to April at Orange, 

 California. 



The Early Red loquat was originated by C. P. Taft of Orange, Cali- 

 fornia, in 1909. This is the earliest variety known in California. 

 It is valuable for commercial cultivation in regions that are free from 

 severe frosts. 



Premier (Fig. 32). Shape oval to oblong-pyrif orm ; size large, 

 weight 1\ ounces, length 1\ inches, breadth If inches; base tapering 

 slightly ; apex flattened, the basin shallow, moderately broad, rounded, 

 the calyx-segments short, the eye large, nearly open ; surface orange- 

 yellow to salmon-orange in color, downy ; skin moderately thick and 

 tough ; flesh whitish, translucent, melting and juicy ; flavor subacid, 

 pleasant ; quality good ; seeds 4 or 5, the seed cavity not large. Season 

 April and May at Orange, California. 



