324 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



THE MANGO 



In Southern Florida there are many large mango trees that have sprung up 

 from seed, but the fruit being mostly inferior our Government and some private 

 individuals have secured grafted trees of several of the choicest varieties from 

 India. One variety, the Mulgoba, is already in bearing, and some of the older 

 trees are quite large. Our fruit of this variety is said by those who have eaten 

 mangoes in India to be equal in size and flavour to any grown there. Thousands 

 of acres can be planted with mangoes if desired below the line of danger from 

 frost in Florida, and in a few places in California. Orchards are now being 

 planted with choice varieties. 



THE PINEAPPLE 



Of all the strictly tropical fruits there is none that is grown so extensively 

 as the pineapple. Many thousands of acres are devoted to its culture in Southern 

 Florida, which is the only region where it succeeds within the United States. 

 Our markets are so well supplied with the home-grown product that but few 

 pineapples are imported, although a few years ago all that were consumed were 

 grown in Jamaica and other tropical islands. There are two methods of grow- 

 ing. One is in the open field, just as cabbages are grown. The other plan is to 

 plant under lath sheds, which admits of growing the most tender varieties ; fruit 

 of the largest size and most delicious flavour is then obtained. The variety 

 generally grown under sheds is the Smooth Cayenne. Abakka and many others 

 are also grown to some extent. These sheds are about 7 feet high and are 

 made in a substantial manner. It has been found by experience that shedding 

 not only makes it possible to grow pineapples where there is a little frost by 

 covering over with muslin in winter, but the shedding does good in summer by 

 tempering the fierce rays of the sun. Red Spanish is the variety commonly 

 grown in the open field. The plants are set about 2 feet apart each way and 

 kept free from weeds with the hoe. They bear two good crops, and are then 

 dug up and the ground replanted. 



MISCELLANEOUS TENDER FRUITS 



There are many tropical and semi-tropical fruits which are grown to some 

 extent. Among these are the Banana, Avocado Pear, Guava, Tamarind, 

 Sapodilla, Kaki, Loquat, and Pomegranate. Some of them flourish exceedingly 

 well and are becoming improved and cultivated, so that they are not only 

 interesting but quite profitable. 



NUTS 



The Cocoanut in Southern Florida is grown with success from Key West 

 fully 100 miles northward, but more as an ornamental tree than for profit. 



The Sweet Almond is grown in Californian orchards of 500 acres or 



