Part 2

This variety is a native of Mexico, and although known as the Guatamala Avocado, it is more commonly to be found in the markets of the City of Mexico. Its leaves are purplish-green. The flowers, which appear in May and June, are like those of the preceding variety; and the drupe, which matures in the early part of the year, has a long stem. This fruit is round, from 3 to 5 inches in diameter, has a thick, tough, rough rind, which when ripe is a deep claret color, and the meat, which is a golden-yellow, is tinged with purple next to the rind, and is free from strings or fibres. There are but two trees of this variety bearing fruit in Honolulu. They were propagated from seeds brought here in 1890 by Admiral Beardsley. These two trees are growing in private gardens.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE IV

Punica Granatum.

POMEGRANATE.

The name was derived from the word punicus, of Carthage, near which city it is said to have been discovered; hence malumpunicum, Apple of Carthage, which was the early name of the Pomegranate. It is a native of Northern Africa, and of Southwestern Asia, and is grown in the Himalayas up to an elevation of 6000 feet. It is a deciduous shrub, which by careful training can be made to grow into a tree from 10 to 15 feet high. Many shoots spring from the base of the tree, and should be cut away, as they draw the sap which should go to the fruit-bearing stems. The branches are slender, twiggy, nearly cylindrical, and somewhat thorny. The bark contains about 32 per cent. tannin, and is used for dying the yellow Morocco leather. The peel of the fruit serves also as a dye. There are several varieties of Pomegranate growing in Hawaii: the double-flowering variety is popular as an ornamental plant. All of the varieties are of easy culture, and are readily propagated by means of cuttings of the ripe wood. The leaves are lanceolate, glabrous, and a glossy-green with red veins. The flowers are axillary, solitary or in small clusters, and in color are a very showy rich orange-red. The fruit is about the size of an ordinary orange, has a persistent calyx, and is made up of many small compartments arranged in two series, one above the other. The crisp, sweet, watery pink pulp enveloping each seed is the edible portion of the Pomegranate.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE V

Ficus Carica (common variety).

FIG.

The Fig is the most ancient, as well as one of the most valuable of all fruit trees. Its name is nearly the same in all European languages. The tree is supposed to be a native of Caria in Asia Minor. The intelligent cultivators of Anatolia, by whom the Smyrna Figs are produced, adhere to the caprification process, used from time immemorial. In California, efforts have been made to test this process. In the Hawaiian Islands, the Portuguese seem to be the most successful cultivators of the Fig, and several varieties are to be found throughout the group. This common variety grows to a height of from 10 to 20 feet, is hardy, and can easily be propagated from cuttings. Its leaves are alternate, 3 to 5 deeply lobed, and are shed during the fall months, at which season careful pruning will increase the following year's yield. The fruit is single, appearing from the axils of the leaves, on the new wood. It is a hollow, pear-shaped receptacle, containing many minute seeds, scattered throughout a soft, pinkish-white pulp.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE VI

Ficus Carica.

FIG.

Some years ago, this variety of Fig was to be found growing in large numbers at Makawao, and in the Kula district of Maui. Now, however, there are few, if any, trees remaining, as a destructive blight, together with the lack of proper attention, has caused their extermination. This variety is very prolific. The fruit is small, pear-shaped, and has a particularly sweet and delicious flavor.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE VII

Ficus Carica (white or lemon variety).

FIG.

This is a low-growing tree with compact foliage. The leaves are small, and the fruit is round-turbinate, about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter. The skin is very thin, is light-green in color, turning to a greenish-yellow when thoroughly ripe. The pulp is pink, very sweet, and when quite ripe is free from milky juice. This variety is also prolific, is easily dried, and on this account would find a ready sale in our markets.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE VIII

Jambosa malaccensis.

MOUNTAIN APPLE, "OHIA AI."

This tree is found on all the large islands of the Polynesian groups, and in the Malaysian Archipelago. In the Hawaiian Islands it confines itself almost entirely to the moist, shady valleys, and thrives well, up to an elevation of 1800 feet. It is generally gregarious, and on the north side of East Maui it forms a forest belt. It attains a height of from 25 to 50 feet. Its dark, shiny, glabrous leaves are opposite, elliptico-oblong, and from 6 to 7 inches long, and from 2½ to 3 inches broad. The flowers are crimson, fluffy balls, appearing in March and April, on the naked branches and upper trunk of the tree. The fruit, which ripens from July until December, generally contains one seed, is obovate, about 3 inches in diameter. The skin is so thin as to be barely perceptible, and the fruit is very easily bruised. In color, it is a deep, rich crimson, shading into pink and white; the pulp is firm, white, and juicy, with a very agreeable flavor.

One third natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE IX