OTHER SPECIES OF CUSTARD APPLES, AS FRUIT TREES. 
133 
are ovate-lanceolate, somewhat obtuse, free from dots, the upper surface deep green, 
and the under surface glaucous, clothed with a short silky pubescence, and when 
bruised emitting a strong odour resembling that of the Black Currant tree. 
Peduncles short, usually opposite to the leaves, covered with a ferrugineous tomentum, 
and each bearing a solitary flower. Sepals three, connected at the base, concave, 
somewhate cordate, rather acute, clothed on the outside with ferrugineous tomentum 
like the peduncles. Petals six ; three outer ones coriaceous, linear-oblong, narrow, 
triquetrous at the top, concave at the base, where each is marked with a deep purple 
spot, the general colour brownish-green ; inner petals so small as to be mere scales. 
Anthers indefinite, almost sessile, angular, and swelled at the top. Carpels numerous, 
sessile, joined into one, fleshy, many-celled, somewhat cordate fruit, covered with a 
slightly scaly coat ; when ripe, of a pale greenish-yellow, tinged with dark purple on 
the sunny side, and usually weighing from three to four pounds ; the skin is thin, and 
easily separable ; the flesh is sweet, highly flavoured, and of about the consistence of 
a custard. The seeds are few in number, smooth, and are easily separated from 
the pulp. 
The plant is a native of Peru, New Grenada, and several other parts of South 
America, where it is extensively cultivated, and has the reputation of producing one 
of the finest fruits in the world. Mr. Gibson, whilst on his mission to India as a 
botanical collector in 1836, had repeated opportunities of eating this fruit, and he 
considers its merits greatly over-rated. There is no doubt, however, but amongst so 
many varieties of the Cherimoyer which are cultivated in the tropics, the relative 
value of some is much greater than of others, and the peculiar flavour and consistence 
of the fruit of all the varieties may be distasteful at first to persons unaccustomed to 
eat them ; by those who constantly use them, however, they are esteemed very 
agreeable, containing a rich sugary mucilage, which for the most part predominates 
over the singular, but not altogether unpleasant aroma. 
The plant was introduced from South America in 1739, but has not yet produced 
fmit in this country, although it has often flowered in different collections ; but the 
flowers have for the most part fallen without setting fruit, and when any have set, 
they have been so feeble and deformed that they have never arrived at maturity. 
We have at Chatsworth several large specimens growing in different parts of the 
Great Conservatory, and from some years of careful observations on their habits 
and requirements, we would suggest the following as requisite for their successful 
management as fruit trees : — 
The best soil is without doubt a light sandy loam, not too rich ; or if that cannot 
be obtained, equal parts of stronger loam and sandy peat. And whether the plant 
be grown in a pot or tub, or in the border of a stove, good drainage either with 
broken stones or crocks is of great importance. 
In its native habitats, this plant is found in situations where it is exposed, for 
several months in the year, to a dry atmosphere, and a low temperature, where little 
moisture can reach the roots ; while in the other part of the year, a moderate heat, a 
