POMEGRANATE AND PAWPAW 



475 



for planting, and they should be set out early in the spring as soon 

 as the danger of cold weather is over. 



THE POMEGRANATE 



This fruit (Punica granatum), famed in literature and art, is 

 grown in various parts of the State, and certain amounts are profit- 

 ably sold. The shrub or low tree, in good soil, will reach the 

 height of twenty feet. It is a hardy plant, easy of propagation 

 from seed or cutting. The beauty of the tree, not taking the fruit 

 into account, has caused it to be planted in many gardens. Ex- 

 posed to the raw sea winds it does not bloom well nor set with 

 fruit, and is best adapted to the warmer regions of the interior, 

 where it is an early and abundant bearer. The variety chiefly cul- 

 tivated is a bright orange color, but there is found a large variety 

 of them, varying from almost pure white with a faint blush, to dark 

 red. The fruit ripens in the warmer parts of the State, north and 

 south, in October. 



THE STRAWBERRY TREE 



The Spanish madrono (Arbutus uncdo) is now quite widely 

 grown, chiefly as an ornamental shrub or tree. The growth is 

 exceedingly beautiful if kept free from scale insects, the fruit rang- 

 ing as it ripens through shades of yellow, orange, and deep red, 

 and contrasting beautifully with the glossy evergreen foliage. The 

 fruit is of pleasant flavor. 



MELON SHRUB 



This plant (Solarium Guatemalensc) is a small, half-herbaceous 

 shrub from the table-land of Guatemala. The fruit is yellow, 

 splashed with violet, somewhat of the shape of the egg-plant, but 

 is usually seedless, and is readily propagated from cuttings. There 

 are thriving plants in many protected places in the State, and some 

 fruit reaches the market, but few seem to like the flavor, which is 

 something like a tomato and melon mixed. Its greatest use will 

 probably be for salads. 



THE MELON TREE 



The melon pawpaw (Carica papaya) has been widely introduced 

 experimentally in this State, and many situations are found unfitted 

 for its growth, but satisfactory fruiting has been secured at several 

 places in southern California, especially if protected the first year 

 it will stand light frosts afterwards. With Mr. Cammack, at Whit- 

 tier, Los Angeles County, it ripens fruit the third year from the 



