CHAPTER XXXIII 

 THE POMELO OR GRAPE FRUIT IN CALIFORNIA 



This citrus fruit achieved a very sudden interest in California 

 because of the prices commanded by Florida pomeloes about fif- 

 teen years ago. When this supply of eastern cities was cut off 

 by the serious frost injuries in Florida there arose a passion for 

 planting the trees in California, and a considerable acreage was 

 planted, and as the tree is a very rapid grower and precocious 

 in fruit-bearing, large shipments were made in 1898, but the 

 the results were not satisfactory, and since that time, although 

 pomeloes sometimes sell to good advantage, the demand is on 

 the whole light and irregular. The local consumption of pomeloes 

 in California is increasing but does not warrant much acreage. 

 For these reasons early plantings have been largely grafted over 

 to the orange. 



The fruit is a Shaddock (Citrus decumana). Varieties have 

 been secured of smaller size and of blander flavor than the coarse, 

 sour and acrid fruit which is suggested by its name. An effort 

 has been made to secure the favorite varieties, and a large list 

 has been planted in this State, but the fruit does not command the 

 place at the East which was awarded to the Florida product. As 

 a tree the pomelo most nearly resembles the orange and its culture 

 is the same. As for varieties, California experience has been too 

 brief and fitful to demonstrate particular value or adaptation in 

 them. Among growers there is no wide agreement as to superi- 

 ority from a commercial point of view. Amateurs can find many 

 desirable sorts in our citrus nurseries. 



Mr. A. P. Griffith of Azusa is perhaps the most enthusiastic 

 and confident of California growers that the pomelo grown in 

 this State will attain wide popularity in the United States. His 

 grove is now seven acres in extent, nearly all of the Nectar vari- 

 ety which is of the type which he believes should be grown to win 

 public favor. He concludes that the market wants a fruit not 

 smaller than 80's and prefers them to stop at 64's. A fruit flat- 

 round that will cut up into two halves each of which will stand 

 upright on a plate, cut side up, seems especially desirable. A 

 fruit that is spherical or pear-shaped is not desired. There are 

 several varieties whose similarity in type would seem to warrant 

 including all under one name. These, with the addition of the seed- 

 less, comprise all there is of intrinsic value among California 

 pomeloes. If all other varieties not of this type were budded 



455 



