278 



Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



History and Cultivation in California 



As far as is definitely known, the Cherimoya was first introduced to Cali- 

 fornia in 1871, by the late Judge R. B. Ord of Santa Barbara. Dr. Franceschi, 

 who has investigated the subject thoroughly, is unable to learn of any earlier 

 introduction than this, and although it would seem natural that the early Mexican 

 settlers should have brought this fruit with them, such does not seem to have been 

 the case. 



From the trees brought from Mexico by Judge Ord, many seedlings have 

 been raised and planted in Santa Barbara and vicinity. Further south, some of 



Figure 119. A fifteen-year-old seedling Cherimoya in the A. Z. Taft grove at Holly- 

 wood, California, showing what the tree will do in California under proper 

 cultivation. 



the first trees planted were on the Jacob Miller place in the Cahuenga valley, just 

 outside of Hollyw^ood, where the Cherimoya grows to perfection and is found 

 in larger numbers than in any other locality in the state. The early impetus here 

 given it has resulted in it being quite common in the gardens of Hollywood, and 

 along the slopes of the valley to the west. Certainly it could not be more at home 

 anywhere than it is here, the tree reaching a large size, and the fruit ripening 

 perfectly. While it fruits well at Santa Barbara and in many other localities, 

 there seems to be something peculiarly suited to it in the conditions of soil and 

 climate of the foothill regions. 



