138 FRUIT CULTIVATION 



A. squamosa. Custard-apple ; Sugar-apple ; Sweet-sop. 

 A small tree, considered to be a native of Asia and Tropical 

 America. It is commonly cultivated throughout the tropics for its 

 fruit, which is of the size of a fairly large apple, and has a peculiar 

 rind which appears to be formed of scales ; when ripe, these latter 

 break awav separately, exposing and partly adhering to the white 



SOUK SOP. Anona innncntn. 



granular, sweet custard-like pulp. The fruit should be wrapped in 

 muslin bags before they attain maturity, so as to prevent their 

 being eaten by squirrels and birds. Custard-apples are chiefly in 

 season during the drier months, when they are commonly sold in the 

 markets and native bazaars. The tree is propagated from seed,, 

 and thrives in ordinary, well-drained soil up to about 2,500 ft. In 



