DECIDUOUS FLOWERING BRANCHES 



Showing deciduou^' flowering branches of the jujube natural size. From a tree in the test 

 orchard at the U. S. Plant Introduction Field Station, Chico, Cal., May, 1916. Photograph 

 by P. H. Dorsett. (Fig. 4.) 



of the Atlantic Coast states, appear 

 promising regions in which to test the 

 jujube. It enjoys brilHant sunshine, dry 

 weather, and long, intensely hot sum- 

 mers, and although it will form good 

 sized trees under other conditions, it 

 appears to require these climatic factors 

 to make it fniit early in its life, regularly, 

 and abundantly. 



As regards soil ctmditions, it appears 

 to withstand slight amounts of alkali and 

 to grow with special vigor on the loess, 

 or wind drifted soil formations of China. 

 As this formation composes large areas 

 of north-western Iowa, it might be 

 tested there, though the climate may 

 prove too severe for it. Under irriga- 

 tion in northern California, and without 

 irrigation in central Texas, the trees 

 have grown luxuriantly and fruited 

 abundantly. In the wann htunid simi- 

 mer region of Maryland, seedling trees 



have grown well, Ijut fruited sparingly 

 and irregularly. In Cicorgia, old seed- 

 ling jujubes have fruited well. 



The trees have the characteristic 

 habit of starting into growth slowly in 

 the spring, which protects them from late 

 spring frosts. The flowers are produced 

 on the new growth of slender branches, 

 and in this respect the jujube resembles 

 the grape; with this difference, however, 

 the new bearing canes of the grape are 

 not deciduous; whereas the slender 

 bearing twigs of the jujube as a rule 

 fall after the first hard frosts, and soon 

 after the leaves have fallen. 



The peach, almond and apricot 

 bloom in northern California in Feb- 

 ruary and March whereas the Chinese 

 jujube blooms in May and June when 

 all danger from frast is long o\er. ( )nly 

 those w^ho ha\-e lost a fmit crop from 

 frost can appreciate tlie adxantage of 



