917 



The selection of suitable soil for the planting of 

 lichee trees is most essential. Alluvial soil lying along 

 the banks of fresh water streams is to be preferred. A 

 soil composed of sand and mud in about equal proportions 

 and about six feet above water is considered ideal. The 

 lichee tree is extremely sensitive to cold weather and 

 thrives best in warm climates. Its two deadliest enemies 

 are salt water and cold, and for this reason it is dif- 

 ficult to grow lichee trees even in South China. 



An abundance of manure is essential if the tree would 

 flourish. In winter the young trees must be protected 

 from the cold by wrapping the trunks with straw and cover- 

 ing the base of the tree with a mixture of hay and mud, and 

 this process must be continued until the trees have reach- 

 ed the age of forty to fifty years, when it may be dis- 

 pensed with. 



The season for planting the lichee tree is in the 

 spring. The seed or kernel from the fruit is placed in the 

 ground and protected with manure and mud. When the tree 

 Is one year of age, it is transplanted into a soil adjacent 

 to the bank of a stream, if possible. 



At the age of five years, the tree comes into bear- 

 ing, but the fruit is of a poor quality and gradually im- 

 proves as the tree matures. Fruit of a good quality, as a 

 rule, can not be expected until the tree is thirty to forty 

 years of age. The life of the lichee tree is several hun- 

 dred years. 



(I think the Chinese cannot graft the litchee at all. 

 The few specimens that I saw were inarched ones; perhaps 

 they might layer them also. Added note by F. N. Meyer.) 



In April or May the lichee tree is in blossom, and if 

 during these months It is visited by strong winds and 

 heavy rains, in all probability it will not bear fruit. 



It is said by the Chinese, and it is a very interest- 

 Ing fact to note, that prior to the plucking of the tree, 

 it is immune from the ravages of insects and birds. The 

 tree is protected, the Chinese say, by a kind of black- 

 winged insect which spins its web in the tree and emits an 

 unpleasent odor which effectually protects It from de- 

 structive insects and birds. But if any of the fruit is 

 plucked, the tree is deserted by the black-winged insect 

 and is left a prey to its enemies. Accordingly, the farmer 

 who is wise will take the precaution to strip the tree of 

 all of its fruit as quickly as possible. 



Generally speaking, the lichee harvest occurs in the 

 months of June and July, one variety after another coming 

 to maturity. The poorest fruit marks the beginning and 

 end of the season, the best coming In during the middle of 

 the season. 



