Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



119 



of some parts without the excessive heat, with unexcelled soil richness and plenty 

 but not too much water makes conditions in these regions fully as conducive to the 

 production of first class deciduous fruit as does any part of California. 



The apple is considered purely a northern latitude fruit. There are sec- 

 tions in Mexico, however, which by their altitude, and cold climate at certain sea- 

 sons of the year, should produce very nice apples, not equal, perhaps, to the fruit 

 of the northern United States but a very good substitute. The ground for this be- 

 lief is the fact that apples are now produced in considerable quantity in many of 

 the higher localities. The great inferiority in quality is due largely to the lack of 

 proper culture. Here, again, the trees are all seedlings and unimproved in any 

 way. The introduction of seeds of the best known varieties, and their growth, 

 acclimatization and selection in scientifically conducted nurseries would soon place 

 at the disposal of the people varieties not greatly inferior to those now bearing in 

 Oregon. We are safely within reason, too, when we declare that other northern 

 fruits, as the cherry for instance, may be grown in these same belts of the upper 

 tierra templada or the lower tierra fria. 



Another great field which soon must be opened to the agriculturist of Mexico 

 is viticulture. There are just enough grapes produced now in some sections to 

 show that it is possible. Here, again, the process of finding the best paying vari- 

 eties, or even creating new ones, must precede the wide introduction of the in- 

 dustry. It has been found in other countries that certain native wild grapes can 

 be used as grafting stocks. Whether this may be possible or not in Mexico, still 

 there is plenty of acclimatized stock now growing in various parts which could 

 be used as the basis for experimentation. In addition to finding the best varieties 

 the horticulturist must also adapt the fruiting season to the climatic conditions. 

 Since grapes are very easily ruined by excess of atmospheric moisture at the ripen- 

 ing period, it will be necessary to shift the fruiting season to come after or before 

 the summer rainy period. As was pointed out in a previous paper, the Cuernavaca 

 and Toluca valleys are very well adapted to the culture of the vine and in addition 

 possess the unparalleled opportunity of a tremendous market for all their produce 

 within a few hours by railroad. 



Before leaving these special considerations of individual crops, let us take up 

 one other. There are many sections too dry and barren at certain seasons of the 

 year to be productive in other crops, but trials with the olive tree would surely be 

 worth while. Certain portions of Oaxaca are well suited to the growth of the 

 olive tree, and, in fact, the director of that state station is already planning to 

 make a thorough trial under various conditions. The high price commanded by 

 this product in most markets of the world, the great food value, and the ease with 

 which the fruit is preserved and shipped makes olive culture extremely profitable 

 in sections which are not well suited to many other crops. 



This hasty survey is only presented as a stimulus to the thought as to what 

 may and surely must be accomplished in the near future in Mexico. Only the 

 bare outline of methods have been suggested and only a few of the typical localities 

 mentioned, but enough to show the wonderful possibilities which are only waiting 

 to be developed. 



