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of 1918 one branch was seen bearing several bright yellow 
‘ fruits.’ 
“It was evident that this was a small female branch and the 
question arose, how was this possible? Was it a case of a male 
tree producing one female branch or was it possible that this 
branch had formerly been grafted on the tree? This last 
supposition seemed to be improbable because the branch grows 
at the height of about twelve meters above the level of the earth. 
Moreover why did it never before bear fruits? At least I am 
sure that since 1896, when I became Director of the Garden, no 
fruits have been produced. They are too conspicuous to be 
overlooked. 
“I thought this phenomenon curious enough to be worth 
noting. Is it possible that the alteration of the conditions 
mentioned above has been the cause of the production of these 
female flowers? No fruit was observed in the years 1919 and 
1920, though possibly female flowers may have been produced 
on that branch, but they are so inconspicuous that it is not easy 
to detect them at such a height.”’ 
A curious fact relating to the Ginkgo was revealed in 1914 
by His Majesty the King of Italy who asked Sir David Prain if 
the Maidenhair Tree at Kew produced fruits. When told that 
it did not His Majesty explained that he had two examples of 
the tree in the Quirinal Garden which fruit profusely every season 
in spite of the fact that there is no male tree there and that so 
far as His Majesty could ascertain there is no example of a male 
Ginkgo in Rome. 
Mr. E. H. Wilson* who has a wide knowledge of the maiden- 
hair tree in China, Japan and North America says “ The trees 
bear either male or female flowers but the two sexes are never 
found on one and the same individual unless deliberately grafted 
together.” 
Professor Chodat writing from the University of Geneva in 
November 1920 to Dr. A. W. Hill concerning the Utrecht tree 
says ‘‘I would rather be inclined to believe that in the case 
reported by Professor Went, a female branch has been at some 
time grafted on the male tree as it has been done in several 
botanic gardens. 
‘“* Here we have in the Jardin des Bastions side by side both 
male and female trees but I never observed that the male should 
bear female catkins or fruits or the reverse.”’ 
In referring to the fruiting of female trees in the absence otf 
pollen-bearing specimens he adds.—‘‘ But the beautiful female 
tree in the Jardin du Lai (formerly Jardin Anglais) about one 
mile distant is quite isolated. This year, and I have made the. 
same remark for many years, this tree is covered with well 
developed fruits. 
* The Romance of our Trees, p. 69 (1920). 
