CHAPTER III 

 FRUITS, WILD AND CULTIVATED 



CHINA is the original home of several fruits which are 

 now cultivated all over the world, as, for example, the 

 orange, lemon, pomelo, peach, and Japanese plum. In 

 the south a number of tropical fruits, such as banana, pine- 

 apple, papaw, areca-nut,litchi, longan,and " Olives" [Canarium), 

 are grown, but only the last three, and these in very small 

 quantities, are found in the regions with which we are con- 

 cerned. In the north, more especially around Chefoo, apples 

 and pears, introduced from America, are cultivated and very 

 excellent fruit is produced. In the north, too, very fine 

 grapes are grown, and the fruit generally is of a high order. 

 But, in general, little attention is given to fruit-culture ; pruning 

 the trees and thinning the fruit is not attended to, with the 

 result that nearly all Chinese fruit is lacking in quality. 

 Usually it is gathered before it is properly ripe, and this has 

 much to do with the absence of flavour which is unfortunately 

 characteristic. Particularly is this indifference and neglect 

 evident in central and Western China, where a very con- 

 siderable quantity and variety is grown. The oranges, peaches, 

 and persimmons are equal to those obtainable anywhere, but 

 all the other succulent fruits are of very low-grade quality. 

 It is to be regretted that more attention is not given to the 

 subject, for the region could undoubtedly be made to produce 

 the very best of fruits. 



In ascending the Yangtsze River, from where the foothills 

 commence below Ichang, and westward to Sui Fu, Orange- 

 groves are a feature, attaining their greatest luxuriance between 

 Chungking and Lu Chou. In December, when the trees are 

 laden with ripe fruit, these groves are a remarkable sight. The 

 Orange is happiest when growing on the leeside of rocky 



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