The Pomegranate. 229 



pounds of fruit to the tree. The fruit is in most demand among the 

 Chinese, but when it becomes more generally cultivated and better 

 known it will be in demand among all classes, and will readily bring 

 a good price. 



Hitherto the loquat has been mainly planted for ornamental 

 effect as it is a grand bush for scenic effects. The fruit begins to 

 ripen in late spring and continues through several months. The 

 seed forms the larger part of the fruit, and one who eats the luscious 

 pulp onh r wishes there were more of it and less seed. Seedlings are 

 very variable and a variety with a small seed might be produced 

 and propagated from it by budding to the pecuniary profit of the 

 originator. 



The tree seems to be free from insect pests. Photinia villosa is 

 another native Japanese fruit, edible and pleasant, but not yet suffi- 

 cientl}" known in this country. The loquat thrives in Santa Bar- 

 bara, Los Angeles and San Diego counties, in California, and will 

 doubtless do well in Arizona and New Mexico. 



THE POMEGRANATE. 



One of the most familiar of the mission fruits of California, is 

 the ruby-red fruit of Punica granatum, a shrub native to the north 

 of Africa, and to southwestern Asia, where it extends up the sides of 

 the Himalayas to an altitude of 6,000 feet. 



Its value as a hedge plant is great, but this use is often over- 

 looked. As an ornamental evergreen bush it ranks high, its well- 

 known showy habit recommending it to every e\ r e. With its rich 

 colored flowers, and the peculiar, cooling fruit, it is welcome and 

 allowed to flourish in all the older Mexican gardens, and the fruit 

 may be found for sale in our larger markets, mostly being in de- 

 mand among the natonalities of the south of Europe. 



We believe the shrub is grown in Oregon and Washington, but 

 only for ornament. 



The bark of the pomegranate contains 32 per cent, of tannin 

 and is used for dyeing the yellow Morocco leather, and the outer 

 rind of the fruit is also used as a dye. 



The pomegranate is perfectly at home in Arizona, where it may 

 be found in many gardens. The fruit varies in color from nearly 

 white (inside) to dark rub}' red or wine color, the darker fruits 

 when crushed in water making a pleasing drink, like lemonade — the 

 lighter colored fruits not being so sour. The commoner variety in 

 cultivation is of a bright orange color. C. R. Orcutt. 



