TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS IN CALIFORNIA. 335 



The Natal Plum (Carissa gvandiflora A. DC). 



This shrub bears too sparsely to make it of economic importance, 

 but its ornamental value has stimulated planting to such an extent 

 that it is occasionally seen in gardens and collections of exotics. There 

 seems to be considerable variation among the different plants in regard 

 to productiveness as well as size of fruit, and taking advantage of this 

 it should be possible to secure, through asexual propagation, varieties 

 that will be worthy of general cultivation. 



The Pomegranate (Punka Granatum Linn.). 



The Pomegranate is produced commercially in a small way, the 

 demand for the fruit being limited. The shrub succeeds best, and 

 is most commonly grown, in the interior valleys. The inferiority of 

 the varieties cultivated in the State has led to an attempt to secure 

 superior ones ; among those which have been introduced the variety 

 ' Wonderful ' has proved to be choice, and is now offered by the trade. 



The Japanese Persimmon (Diospyros Kaki Linn.). 



This fruit is becoming quite popular, and is proving correspondingly 

 remunerative to the growers. The varieties most extensively grown 

 are 'Tane Nashi ' and ' Hachiya.' From one grove of six acres over 

 15 tons of fruit were picked last season, which sold at 10 to 12 cents a 

 pound. 



The Pineapple (Ananas sativus Schult.). 



At several different times attempts have been made to grow pine- 

 apples commercially in southern California, but these have always 

 resulted unsuccessfully, since an excessive amount of care and expense 

 was required in the production of the fruit, and it could not be sold at 

 a profitable figure in competition with the imported product. 



Pineapples require more heat than is found on the sea-coast to 

 develop to large size and perfect maturity, consequently they are more 

 successfully grown in the foothill regions some miles back from the 

 ocean. ' Red Spanish ' and ' Smooth Cayenne ' are about the only 

 varieties cultivated, and these are rare. 



The Tree Tomato (Cyphomandra betacea Sendt.). 



This plant is occasionally seen in gardens, but the fruit is usually 

 allowed to fall to the ground and go to waste. Its easy culture has 

 made it more widely planted than would otherwise have been the case, 

 but as a fruit it is in no likelihood of becoming very popular. 



The Kei Apple (Aberia caffra Harv. & Sond.). 



As grown in California this is a fruit of little value, and in addition 

 bears very sparsely except in rare instances. It has proved to be quite 

 hardy, and seems to be of considerable value as a hedge plant, but its 

 cultivation is not being extended very rapidly. 



