138 



FLORIDA FRUITS. 



of the ordinary guava, and making a more delicate jelly, while 

 the bush is extremely prolific, an eighteen months old plant 

 sometimes bearing nearly five hundred guavas. 



The other frost-proof guava resembles the Cattley, except 

 that the fruit is about twice as large, and is yellow. Both of 

 these guavas have a decided strawberry flavor. The last men- 

 tioned is sometimes called the " strawberry guava," and the 

 "yellow guava," but the true name is "guava of commerce." 



These two varieties are scarce as yet, but this is a fault that 

 will mend as time goes on. The grower who plants these need 

 have no fear of frosts, and his yearly profits will be assured with- 

 out the necessity' of winter protection. 



In selecting seed for planting guavas, and, indeed, any 

 other fruit, sow^ only those from the best specimens to be 

 obtained. This simple precaution will assure vigorous plants 

 and superior fruit. 



The guava, as a home fruit, is extremely valuable, taking 

 the place of the peach in the north, to a great extent, and con- 

 tinuing to ripen from the middle or end of July until the begin- 

 ning or middle of November, according to the season. The frost- 

 proof guavas are not unfrequently found in bloom all the year 

 round, and this is also the case with the common guava, in 

 localities removed from the influence of cool weather. None of 

 the guavas bear all their blooms at one time, and then are done 

 for the year, as is the case with the peach, apple, and kindred 

 fruits. The early spring bloom is, of course, that of the main crop, 

 but ripe fruit and new scattering buds may be seen all through 

 the season on the bush and stem. 



The various modes of preparing this and other fruits for the 

 table and commercial purposes will be fully treated of in our 

 concluding chapter. 



THE BANANA. 



This favorite fruit is susceptible of cultivation only in a 

 much more limited area than any of the other Florida fruits, 

 for the reason that it, like the pine-apple, is a true child of the 

 tropics, and cannot endure the least touch of frost uninjured; 

 but unlike the pine-apple, it is not so readily sheltered, owing to 



