CHAPTER XVIII
IN GRAPEFRUIT GROVES
The Spaniards brought the grapefruit to
Florida, and left it behind them. Here it has
been ever since, until the last ten or fifteen years
neglected and despised, but taking care of itself
with cheerful virility. It grew wild, or people
planted a few trees about the house for its rapid
growth of grateful shade and the picturesque
decoration which its huge globes of yellow fruit
furnished. These few people considered edible.
Now we all know better and the North calls for
grapefruit with a demand that this year is only
partly satisfied with four million of boxes.
Floridians eat the once despised fruit with avidity now and a thrifty grapefruit grove is already recognized as a profitable investment. I say a thrifty grove, for all groves are not thrifty. The tree is lavish to its friends and in congenial surroundings will produce fruit almost beyond belief. I have seen a single limb not larger than my wrist weighed to the ground with ninety-five great yellow globes by actual count. I have seen
