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to North Eastern Australia. The fruit varies from red to yellow, 

 according to the variety, and is somewhat similar to a Plum. In Queens- 

 land it has received the name of Torres Straits Plum owing to its being 

 found growing naturally in the north east districts. The truit is some- 

 what mealy, but pleasantly flavoured, and is largely used both fresh and 

 in a dried state in India and China. Zizyplius Lotus, an evergreen 

 shrub, is the Lotus or Lote-bush of the classics, from whence the 

 Lotopliagi were named. It is a native of Africa, but is widely dispersed 

 in the European countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. The fruit 

 is somewhat smaller and less sweet than the common .Jujube, but it has an 

 agreeable sub-acid flavour, and large quantities are used both fresh and 

 dried in the countries where it is found. Zizyphus mucronata is an 

 evergreen shrub of medium growth indigenous to South Africa. It has 

 rather small, yellow, farinaceous berries which, when dried and pounded, 

 yield a meal which is made into a sort of bread that is both palatable and 

 nourishing. Zizyphns jEnoplia, an evergreen shrub, has been called the 

 Australian Jujube because it is found in Carpentaria and other northern 

 coast districts. It is, however, also indigenous to India and other parts 

 of Asia. The fruit is somewhat small, but has a pleasant acid flavour. 

 Zizf/phus Parri/i is a species indigenous to California. It bears small 

 fruits of fair quality about the size of Damsons. Among other species 

 deserving attention for their fruits the following are mentioned by Baron 

 von Mueller : Zizyplius Joamro, a Brazilian species suitable for arid 

 regions ; Zisyphus mistal, a fine tree from Argentina ; Zivyphus rugos, 

 a small and comparatively hardy tree from Nepaul and other mountainous 

 parts of India ; and Zizyphns sinew sis, a species from China and Japan. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



The Jujube can only be cultivated successfully in the warmer parts of 

 Australia, or in temperate regions that are not affected by frosts. Some 

 species , however, are much more hardy than others, and cultivators have 

 some scope in being able to select according to their requirements. As 

 fruit-bearing plants the principal species of Jujube are well worthy of 

 attention in congenial localities. In countries where it is known, there is 

 a considersble demand for the fruit, and there is no reason why it should 

 not be equally popular in the Australasian colonies. It is a fruit specially 

 worthy of attention for drying, and when prepared by this means it is 

 probable that an export trade can be found for surplus produce. The 

 trees will do in any fairly good soil, but they thrive best in a rich sandy 

 loam, deeply worked and well drained. (Shelter is also essential to the 

 well-being of the plants. In making a plantation for fruit the trees 

 should be arranged from twenty to thirty feet apart, according to the 

 growth of the species used. Independent of their value as fruit trees, 

 any of the species of Jujube may be used to advantage as ornamental 

 plants for shrubberies and gardens as they are both handsome and 

 effective. Propagation is most readily effected by seeds, which grow 

 freely, and should be planted about an inch deep. Plants are readily 



