This species (Punica granatum) is grown for both fruit and ornamental planting.

For ornament the double-flowering varieties are mainly planted in the South and on the west coast. The dwarf variety - Punica nana of Linnaeus - is used as a pot plant at the North, but in the South and in Arizona, New Mexico, South Texas, and California it is used as a hedge plant.

For character and uses of fruit see Section 216 of Part I. It is readily propagated in the South from hard-wood cuttings planted in winter. It also propagates readily by layering (48), and also by softwood cuttings during summer (57). As to varieties grown for fruit the present showing is by no means satisfactory in view of the now well-known fact that seedless or nearly seedless varieties with tender juicy pulp are obtainable in Central and South Asia. The writer saw and tested some of these varieties in the Far East in 1882 five inches in diameter.

Varieties Of Pomegranate

Acid

Large, three to four inches in diameter; yellow, with red shading; pulp sharp acid, yet desirable for hot-weather drinks with needed supply of sugar.

Dwarf

Small, one and one-half to two inches in diameter, round; color red; pulp very acid. A form of the acid type with low bushy habit often grown in pots under glass at the North.

Caribbean Coral

Large, oval, yellow, with crimson blush; pulp pink, aromatic. Grown South for Northern markets, as it has rather a thick yet soft and leathery skin.

Paper Shell

Size medium, round, with very thin skin; pulp unusually refreshing, cooling, and pleasant. A favorite home variety in the South and in Cuba.

Purple

Large, oval, yellow, with red and purple shading; quality very good. A leading variety in the South.

Spanish Ruby

Large, oval, color crimson, with deep crimson pulp. A leading variety in Louisiana and the Gulf States.

Subacid

Much like the Sweet, but the pulp has somewhat more acid.

Sweet

Large, but somewhat smaller than Acid; round; color darker red than the Acid. Grown from Arizona to Florida.