282 FLORIDA FRUITS PEACHES AND PLUMS. 



JAPAN MEDLAR, OR JAPAN PLUM. 



This valuable fruit is generally known in Florida under 

 the latter title, which is an entire misnomer. There is a 

 true Japan plum, but it is not an evergreen as is the 

 Japan medlar. 



This tree is not only a very ornamental one, with large, 

 evergreen leaves, but it is destined to become one of the 

 leading fruits of Florida. It has been introduced into Cal- 

 ifornia, but rarely fruits there, as the early blossoms are 

 almost invariably nipped by severe frosts. 



In Florida the fruit matures without danger of loss, and 

 wherever the orange tree flourishes there the so-called Japan 

 plum flourishes also. It grows slowly at first, but after 

 the first three years increases in size more rapidly, and by 

 its eighth year frequently attains a height of twelve or 

 fourteen feet, and is covered with fruit and bloom ; the 

 ultimate height of the Loquat is about twenty feet. 



The fruit ripens from January to March, and is of good 

 quality, sub-acid, and a general favorite; excellent pre- 

 serves are made of it, and as for its jelly, it has no supe- 

 rior among the many jellies offered for sale in the markets. 



The fruit, resembling an ordinary plum in size and 

 shape, carries as well, and in fact better than the peach. 

 It has been shipped to the Northern markets in perfect 

 order, selling there from twenty-five to forty cents a quart 

 basket. In the Florida local markets it sells readily at 

 twenty-five to fifty cents a quart. 



The tree, if well cared for, commences to bear in its 

 fifth year, and when covered with bloom fills the air with 

 a delicious fragrance. 



Another fruit destined to be of great value is 



KELSEY'S JAPAN PLUM. 

 This remarkable plum was imported from Japan in 1871 



