FRUITS, WILD AND CULTIVATED 31 



found which are eaten locally. Brambles (Rubus) in great 

 variety occur, over 100 species being recorded from China. The 

 majority yield edible fruit, and in some cases this is superior 

 to any found elsewhere in the world. I have succeeded in 

 introducing about 30 species, and look forward to the day when 

 some one will seriously take up the culture of brambles and by 

 hybridizing them evolve a new race of berries to add to the 

 soft fruits at present in cultivation. The three best of the 

 new introductions, according to my own palate, are Rubus 

 pilcatus, R. aniabilis, and R. corchorifolius, all vinous-flavoured, 

 raspberry-like fruits. The black fruits of R. omeiense and R. 

 flosculosus are also good eating, as are the orange or red coloured 

 fruits of R. biflorus, var. quinquefiorus, R. innominatus, and R. 

 ichangensis. At Ichang in early spring the raspberry-like fruit 

 of R. parvi/olius is commonly on sale, being locally known as 

 " Ts'ai-yang-p'ao-tzu." (The term " P'ao-tzu " is comprehen- 

 sive, covering berries generally.) At Sungpan in August it is 

 possible to secure fruit of the dwarf R. xanthocarpus in quantity 

 for a few cash pieces. 



In the mountains during June and July wild strawberries 

 are plentiful, and the fruit is of delicious flavour. Two kinds 

 occur — the white-fruited Hautboy, " Ti-p'ao-tzu " {Fragaria 

 elatior), and the red-fruited " She-p'ao-tzu " {F. filipendula). 

 At Tachienlu, where cream from yak milk is obtainable, I have 

 enjoyed many a dish of strawberries and cream, and also straw- 

 berry pie. "" By the roadsides the Indian Strawberry [F. indica), 

 also called " She-p'ao-tzu," is everywhere abundant up to 

 3000 feet altitude. The brightly-coloured but flavourless fruit 

 of this plant is considered poisonous by the Chinese. 



In the woods species of Currant {Ribcs) with both red and 

 black fruit are common. One species {R. longeracemosum) 

 bears large, black fruit of good flavour, on racemes i^ foot 

 long ! This plant is now in cultivation, and should be 

 utiUzed as a parent by the hybridist. A Gooseberry {R. 

 alpestre, var. giganteum) is a common hedge-plant throughout 

 the Chino-Thibetan borderland between 8000 and 11,000 feet 

 altitude. The small, round, green-coloured fruit is, however, 

 extremely harsh in flavour. A Strawberry tree, " Yang-mei," 

 is common in the margins of woods and thickets between 2000 



