THE NAVEL ORANGE OF BAHIA. ao 
THE SUGAR-APPLE. 
In the small towns throughout the interior of Minas Geraes and 
Bahia States the sugar-apple (Annona squamosa L.) is one of the 
most important cultivated fruits. It is known here as pinha (pine 
| cone; probably so called because of the similarity in appearance). 
| Originally brought to the interior from Bahia, it is believed, the tree 
found such congenial surroundings and produced fruit of such ex- 
cellent quality that it has gradually taken first place in many gar- 
dens. The fruit is peddled about the streets by small boys, large 
specimens selling for 2 vintens (less than 2 cents), smaller ones for a 
vintem. | 
In flavor the sugar-apples of this region are superior to those of 
the coast. They are not so large as those of Bahia, but there is a 
peculiar delicacy of flavor and tenderness of flesh which is lacking 
in the latter place. This may be due in part to the fact that the 
fruits are allowed to remain on the tree until fully ripe, while at 
Bahia they appear to be picked a trifle too soon and are then ripened 
in the house. 
A good sugar-apple is 3 inches in diameter and usually heart 
shaped. Within its rough exterior is a mass of snow-white delicately 
flavored pulp containing numerous black seeds the size of a bean. 
The pulp separates into slender, conical segments, each one contain- 
ing a seed. After being picked from the tree the fruit is placed in 
a cool place for 24 hours, when it becomes soft and ready to eat. It 
is always eaten while edie no methods of cooking or preserving 
it being known. 
THE SWAMP ARATICUM. 
Near the village of Urubu, on the Rio Sao Francisco some dis- 
tance below Januaria, the low, swampy lands which extend back 
from the river bank a distance of three or four hundred yards are 
covered with Annona spinescens Mart., a compact, spiny shrub 
known to the natives as araticum do brejo, or “swamp araticum.” 
This plant is often found on ground which is submerged under a 
foot or two of. water during part of the year. It grows to a height 
of 8 or 10 feet and produces an abundance of oblong-conical fruits 
2 to 3 inches in length, reddish orange in color and externally cov- 
ered with small conical protuberances. When fully ripe, these fruits 
are so soft and delicate in texture that it is difficult to handle them 
without breaking the skin. The flesh is of the same color as the exte- 
ior and of a sweet, insipid flavor, apparently not relished by the 
natives, as they allow the hogs to consume the crop. ‘The seeds are 
very numerous and do not separate easily from the pulp. The spe- 
