Fruit Growing in the Gulf States, 221 



arrest leakage of the sugary contents. The figs are 

 dried in the sun, being turned every day. At night they 

 are covered over, and if as dry in the morning as in the 

 evening, they are sufficiently dried. They are then 

 dipped for a second in a boiling solution of rock salt, 

 and they are then pressed with finger and thumb so as 

 to distribute the thick skin round the eye and the fine 

 skin at the stalk end, which is uppermost when packed, 

 the appearance being improved thereby. The figs are 

 then packed in boxes. The white flowery substance on 

 old Smyrna figs consists of grape sugar and small 

 crystals of rock salt. 



Another process is treatment with sulphur and sun drying. 



It may be of interest to transfer from the pages of 

 the report notices of fruit with which we are familiar, 

 and which appear to attract much attention in Florida 

 and other Southern States. 



The Sapodilla (Achras sapota) is one of the principal 

 fruit trees grown on Key West, where it has been culti- 

 vated for many years. To stand shipment it must be 

 picked green, when it loses the delicious flavour acquired 

 by being ripened on the tree. To carry the ripe fruit 

 successfully, refrigerators are necessary. Some of the 

 fruit weighs over a pound. They appear to require 

 careful precautions against frost. Being propagated 

 from seed there arises a great difference in size, shape, 

 and flavour of the fruit. 



The Sapodilla has been introduced into India, where, 

 according to Dr. Watt, the fruit is not much appreciated 

 but is surreptitiously sold in the streets as Mancosteen.* 



* Catalogue of Exhibits by Government of India at Colonial and 

 Indian Exhibition, 1R86. page 77. 



