1122 FRUIT CROWING 



sowing they are in bearing, and capable of yielding from 400 to 600 fruits. 

 In no case should the orange tree stem be subjected to persistent moisture ; 

 the planting must be done so as to keep the top of the root outside the soil, 

 and to prevent gummosis of the foot of the tree the practice of basin irriga- 

 tion has been everywhere abandoned. 



The General Government of Algeria has for the last twenty years 

 made a collection of the best orange trees from ditlerent centres of culti- 

 vation ; Spain, Portugal, Canaries, Italy, China, Japan, Australia, Brasil, 

 Florida, California, etc. In this collection, a quantity of varieties far su- 

 perior to those already acclimatised are to be found ; these varieties ripen 

 almost successive!}^ from November to June, and answer both the require- 

 ments of cultivation and trade and the taste of consumers. It woud be 

 of interest to look for a site in Algeria for grape-fruit or " pomelo ", a 

 Citrus which should not be confused with the shaddock to which it ver}^ 

 closely approaches. The botanical Station of the General ^ Government 

 successfully grows the best varieties of " pomelo ". Citrus japonica or 

 "cumquat " is increasing!}^ used in preserves. The " Wasliington Navel " 

 orange, which has given excellent results in almost all orange-growing 

 countries, should be recommended for Algeria likewise, and some confusion 

 exists when an introduction dating back more than fifty years is spoken of. 



872 - Diospyros virginiana. ("Persimmon") in the United States. — Fletcher 



W. F., in v. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmer's Bulletin, No. 685, 28 pp., 17 fig. 

 Washington, D. C, October 12, 1915. 



This Bulletin gives the following general information with regard to Dio- 

 spyros : Botanical classification, Natural distribution, General description. 

 Possibility of improvement. Methods of spread and cultivation, Diseases 

 and pests. Uses of the tree and its products. Recipes for the preparation 

 of cakes, jams, ices, etc. from its fruits, and List of particular varieties se- 

 lected and cultivated. 



Diospyros virginiana was described and much esteemed from the early 

 times of the discover}^ of North America. It is a native of the south-eastern 

 part of the United States, where it abounds in fields and forests. Some 

 cultivated specimens, however, also did well in the States of Rhode Island and 

 New York, which proves that the northern limits of this species n\Q.y lie very 

 high when aided by cultivation. The region where Diospyros produces 

 most and to which it is best adapted, extends from Mar^'land, Virginia and 

 the two Carolinas westward through Mi.ssouri and Arkansas. It thrives 

 in every description of soil. The species is generally dioecious. With regard 

 to the habit of the tree, there are 2 types : one with ascending and the other 

 with descending branches ; some fruits are oblong in shape, others are pear- 

 shaped. The period of ripening varies very much : ripe fruits may be ob- 

 tained from August to February. 



The fruit of Diospyros virginiana is far from being as much appreciated 

 as it deserves in its native countr}'', in spite of the fact that it is much more 

 nutrient than the ordinary fruits of temperate countries. The onlj^ fruit 

 which can be compared with it is the date. In addition to consuming the 



