476 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



seed the fruit being pleasant to eat as one would a mushroom. 

 The large fig-like leaves and the peculiar markings of the trunk 

 make the tree a very striking object. 



THE PRICKLY PEAR 



The tuna, or fruit of the cactus (Opuntia vulgaris), is produced 

 in nearly all parts of the State except on the mountains. It was 

 one of the old mission fruits, and was enjoyed by the early mining 

 population until better fruits were available. It is about as large 

 as a medium-sized pear, and has a pleasant acid flavor if one suc- 

 ceeds in escaping the prickles in getting at the interior of the fruit. 

 The tuna is still a commercial article in a small way. Plants are 

 grown readily from cuttings of the fleshy leaves. 



Quite a distinction must now be made between the foregoing 

 and the smooth or spineless fruits which are superior in quality as 

 well .as unarmed with prickles, and therefore readily handled and 

 eaten. Varieties more or less innocent in this respect were intro- 

 duced from the Mediterranean region many years ago, and prop- 

 agated to a limited extent. Recently Mr. Luther Burbank of Santa 

 Rosa has undertaken special work with the cactus, both for fruiting 

 and forage purposes, and has attained remarkable results which are 

 attracting wide attention, and upon which producing enterprises are 

 being undertaken. 



THE ALLIGATOR PEAR 



The avocado, or Aguacate of the Mexicans (Persea gratissima) 

 has proved hardy in several districts in the State, north and south. 

 It is not likely that it will be satisfactory without high summer heat 

 and freedom from heavy frosts. It is, however, one of the most 

 promising of its class of fruits, as it is known to epicures, and its 

 marketing at a high price reasonably assured. Mr. J. C. Harvey, 

 of Los Angeles, gives this interesting account of it : 



It is a handsome evergreen tree, and, in the typical form, bears elliptical 

 from two and one-half to three inches in width, narrow toward the 

 base, and about six inches long. In some varieties the new growth is of a 

 reddish brown, ultimately becoming deep green. The fruits are pear-shaped, 

 about the size of a Bartlett pear, and contain a single, rather large seed. When 

 ripe, the skin, which is much thinner than that of an orange, parts easily from 

 the pulp, which is of a moderately firm though buttery consistency, and forms, 

 with lime juice or pepper and salt, one of the most delicious salads known to 

 epicures. Indeed, the fruit is a perfect mayonnaise in itself. Few persons fail 

 to like it, even at first, and in countries where it is common, it is esteemed above 

 all other vegetable productions, both by natives and foreigners alike. The pulp 

 is quite rich in a bland and most agreeable oil, said to be very nutritious. The 

 tree attains a height of from twenty-five to thirty-five feet, and forms a hand- 

 some object when liberally cultivated. The tree is a gross feeder. Good- 

 sized trees carry a large crop, which, after attaining a certain size, can be picked 

 at intervals of a week or two extending over a period of two or three months, 



