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Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



5. Seeds. Among the seeds of different varieties there are no great differ- 

 ences. The average number of seeds, while greater in fruits of some varieties 

 than others, is largely a matter of the individual specimen. Slight differences in 

 the form of the seeds are frequently noticeable. 



6. Quality. It is natural that some seedlings should produce fruits of 

 inferior quality. Occasionally a very superior one is found. 



Varieties 



In general characteristics of fruit many of the local seedlings are practically 

 identical; furthermore, as has already been noted, the variation existing among 

 fruits on the same tree is great. This makes it imjiracticable to distinguish be- 

 tween any large number of varieties, and renders difficult the describing of a 

 variety in such a way that every fruit produced will answer to the description, 

 without entering at length into the range of variation exhibited within the variety. 



When tile most prolific and desirable of the local trees come to be propagated 

 by budding or grafting, and are offered by the nurserymen, it will be essential 

 that each one be given a name and that accurate descriptions and illustrations be 

 placed on record for the guidance of j)rospective planters. As yet only two 

 named varieties have been offered. Both these are desirable, but it is highly prob- 

 able that much finer forms will be introduced within the next few years from 

 other countries where this fruit has been given more attention that it has here. 

 In Madeira, seedling selection has resulted in the production of varieties weighing 

 as much as sixteen i)ounds, and with very few seeds. Choice forms, adapted to 

 varied conditions of soil and climate and bearing at different seasons of the year, 

 have been produced in several countries, and it will be much more expedient to 

 direct our efforts toward obtaining as many of these as possible, rather than to 

 the production of superior varieties through seedling selection, — necessarily a 

 slow and laborious process at best. 



Mammillaris 



This variety originated as a seedling at Altadena, California, on the property 

 now owned by A. C. Calkins. In flavor it is greatly superior to the majority of 

 local seedlings, and its exceptionally tough skin renders it of value for shipping. 

 Although not a fruit of large size, it must be ranked as one of the best which 

 have originated locally. 



Description — Form distinctly conical, more uniformly so than with most 

 other varieties ; size medium ; weight up to one pound ; length up to four and a 

 half inches; width up to four inches; base flattened; cavity shallow, broad, flaring, 

 regular ; apex rather pointed ; stem short and very stout ; surface covered with 

 more or less prominent conical protuberances, one arising from each carpellary 

 area over the entire fruit ; color dull green ; skin thick and very tough ; flesh clear 

 white, soft, fine grained ; seeds rather short and blunt, plump, not very numerous ; 

 flavor very aromatic and rich, strongly resembling the pineapple; quality excel- 

 lent; season February-March at Altadena, California. 



