SOME OTHER TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS. 217 



reach of the masses, and so immature that they are only 

 used in limited quantity. In California the supply comes 

 from the Sandwich Islands in a nearly ripened condition 

 and find a ready market at moderate prices. In the States 

 east of the Rocky Mountains those reaching the markets 

 come from the "West India islands and Florida by sailing- 

 vessels mostly, and in imperfectly ripened condition, and 

 the same is true in the Western States to a still greater 

 extent. 



As Lindley said many years ago: "The pineapple is 

 acknowledged to be one of the most delicious fruits in 

 existence/' But this was said of the ripe fruit when the 

 yellow pulp is too tender for slicing and can be eaten with 

 a spoon. In this condition it is not only nutritious but 

 healthful to a remarkable degree. Its free use cures 

 dyspepsia, and is the best known remedy for throat diseases 

 and other troubles of the system. In this perfect and 

 healthful state it cannot reach distant markets, like the 

 orange and banana, but as a canned fruit it would soon find 

 an almost unlimited sale if put up in glass jars properly 

 boxed for shipment. Marmalades in glass will also retain 

 the remarkable flavor of this queen of fruits, if the fully 

 ripe fruit is used. In these suggestions the ease of grow- 

 ing the fruit in Cuba is considered, if we secure proper 

 trade relations, and an actual test of canned pineapple and 

 marmalade made by American ladies residing in Havana. 

 As grown in Florida, if shipped by rail the almost perfectly 

 ript! fruit can be delivered North as safely as the south 

 Georgia peaches. 



214. The Loquat. This is a combined ornamental and 

 fruit-bearing shrub or small tree native to Japan and 

 China. It has long, wide, evergreen leaves decidedly 

 ornamental, and terminal panicles of white and very 

 fragrant flowers that continue in succession from August 



