362 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



THE PERSIMMON IN CALIFORNIA. 



By SuMiTO FuJii, University of California. 



The Japanese persimmon, one of the most delicious commercial fruits, 

 has met with many obstacles and difficulties on its way into the horti- 

 cultural industry of the United States. For nearly half a century after 

 its first introduction into this country the persimmon not only did 

 not receive due appreciation, but in many instances rather created a 

 prejudice against itself among the general public. This was due of 

 course to the lack of knowledge about this fruit on the part of the 

 introducers and growers. The persimmon is very attractive in appear- 

 ance, with its bright orange or tomato red color. It is very delicious 

 and is liked by every one if eaten properly. It is much higher in nutri- 

 tive value than any other fruit of like use, such as peaches, pears, 

 apples, oranges, plums, etc. It is a very good keeper if handled 

 correctly, grows very thriftly and bears prolifically if proper varieties 

 are chosen and the trees well cared for. In order to appreciate this 

 excellent fruit to its fullest extent the grower should exercise great 



Tiie Jiro persimmon. (Original.) 



care in the selection of varieties, in planting and growing the trees, and 

 in handling the crop and supplying the consuming public with fruit in 

 proper condition. The failure in the past was chiefly due to the lack 

 of knowledge and proper care among the introducers and growers. 



During the last ten years or so the general public has been educated 

 to a certain extent and growers have become more interested in plant- 

 ing persimmons in this state. This fact, together with the rapidly 

 increasing demand for persimmons in eastern markets, promises greater 

 prosperity for persimmon growers in the future. However, the writer, 

 who has been studying this fruit for several years, both in this country 

 and in Japan, and who made an extensive trip last fall through the 

 persimmon districts of Japan, studying the varieties, has been greatly 

 impressed with the lack of knowledge still existing among growers 

 regarding varieties. Great emphasis shovild be placed on the fact that 

 the selection of right varieties is the corner stone in the industry of 

 fruit growing. Unfortunately enough, the early importations of per- 

 simmon trees which became the main source of the knowledge in this 



