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Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



used in packing. After picking, the fruits do not soften up suflBciently to be 

 easily bruised within three or four days, and this time can be greatly extended 

 by refrigeration. With the selection of the toughest-skinned varieties for this 

 purpose, there should be no difficulty in placing the Cherimoya on the markets 

 of any part of the country. 



A more complete treatment of this subject will be found in Prof. Foex' 

 bulletin "Algunas Anonaceas Frutales de Mexico," already referred to. 



Nature and Extent of Seedling Variation 



Notwithstanding some statements to the effect that the Cherimoya comes 

 true from seed, the variation exhibited by the seedlings in Southern California, 

 many of which have sprung from a common parent, demonstrates conclusively 

 that asexual propagation must be resorted to in order to perpetuate a variety 

 absolutely true to type. Although the distinct departures from the parent type 

 which are frequently shown by seedlings of some other cultivated fruits do not 

 appear to exist in this species, in variation of seedlings, and particularly in 

 variation of fruits on the same tree, it is peculiar and extraordinary. 



As observed among the local trees, the most important characteristics in 

 which variation is shown, and the extent of variation in each, are briefly as 

 follows : 



A. Variations Affecting the Tree. 



1. Productiveness. A large percentage of seedlings are so unproductive 

 as to be of no value. Many produce moderately, and an occasional tree is so 

 exceptionally productive (comparatively speaking) as to make it of great value 

 for propagation, provided it is otherwise desirable. These productive trees are 

 quite frequently isolated specimens, showing that the difference is not due to 

 cross fertilization, or an abundance of pollen supplied by other trees. Mr. 

 Wester suggests that the flowers of these trees may be self-fertile, as opposed 

 to the majority of Cherimoyas which are dependent on insects for pollination. 

 Whether this be the case or not, it is certain that the bearing habits of a tree are 

 perpetuated by asexual propagation, and thus all danger of trees turning out to 

 be shy bearers can be eliminated. 



It is quite possible that the productiveness of many of the local trees could 

 be increased through better attention to culture, since many of them have been 

 subjected to severe neglect. 



2. Foliage. On one plantation in the Cahuenga valley there are a few 

 trees whose leaves are uniformly two or three times the ordinary size, being eight 

 to ten inches in length and five to six inches in breadth. It is not rare for seed- 

 lings to show this variation, and the fruits produced by such trees do not appear to 

 differ from the ordinary in any respect. 



B. Variations Affecting the Fruit. 



1. Surface. In respect to surface, the local seedlings may be broadly 

 divided into two classes; those with more or less prominent protuberances over 

 the greater portion of the surface, and those without protuberances, in which the 



