The wealth of a native is based upon
the number of cocoa-nut palms he owns.
Another well-known tropical fruit is the fig, which grows on a bush or
small tree about eighteen or twenty feet high.
The fig-tree is now cultivated in all the Mediterranean countries, but
the larger portion of the American supply comes from western Asia and
the south of France.
The varieties are extremely numerous, and the fruit is of various
colors, from deep purple to yellow, or nearly white.
The trees usually bear two crops--one in the early summer, the other in
the autumn.
When ripe, the figs are picked and spread out to dry in the sun. Thus
prepared, the fruit is packed closely in barrels, baskets, or wooden
boxes, for commerce.
Oranges and lemons are cultivated in nearly all warm countries. They
grow on trees somewhat smaller than apple trees, and must be picked for
export while they are hard and green.
They ripen during transportation, so that green oranges put up and sent
to us from Sicily or other distant points, change to a golden yellow
color by the time they reach us.
Oranges are grown largely in Florida and Louisiana, extensive orange
orchards being frequently met with in traveling through those States.
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