the pawpaw should be so little known or receive so little attention. Many who are acquainted with it claim that it is far superior to the renowned banana. Many people could be referred to who would say that it is the most delicious fruit known to man. To us of central Indiana it is as familiar as the apple.

The pawpaw is indigenous to central Indiana but is found growing in its natural state over a large area of country extending to the Gulf on the south and as far west as eastern Kansas. It is found along most of the rivers and small streams. It delights in rich alluvial river bottom soil. It is well adapted to black ground and sugar tree land but is also found growing on heavy clay land. In fact any place where the soil is not too wet. The trees or bushes as they are generally called grow to the height of from twenty to twenty-five feet and commence bearing from four to six years after planting the seed. They bear when from four to six feet high. The pawpaw is remarkably hardy never having been known to be affected by cold weather. There are a great many varieties. The large specimens generally grow singly or in pairs; the smaller ones set in clusters of six or eight. The fruit is generally oblong but sometimes roundish in shape. Every variety of the pawpaw has its characteristic flavor, but all pawpaws are good if eaten when in a proper degree of ripeness. There is a general opinion that white fleshed pawpaws are not fit to eat but that is a mistaken idea. They are the late ones that extend the season to early winter. They are not edible until they turn a blackish color.