PROMISING NEW FRUITS. 435 



later found growing in several localities in China, he states is known 

 as " Ta mo pan shi tze," signifying " big grindstone persimmon," on 

 account of its large size and peculiar flattened form. Mr. Meyer 

 states : J 



The fruit of this particular variety has a bright orange-red color, grows to a 

 large size, measuring 3 to 5 inches in diameter, and sometimes weighs more 

 than a pound. It is perfectly seedless, is not astringent, and can be eaten even 

 when green and hard. It stands shipping remarkably well. The fruit is of a 

 peculiar shape, having an equatorial constriction, which makes it look as if two 

 fruits had been joined, or, to use a more terse expression, as if somebody had 

 sat upon it. The trees are very thrifty growers when once thoroughly estab- 

 lished. They reach a height of 30 to 50 feet, and though the young branches 

 are very erect, the older ones bend down a good deal because of the great 

 weight of the fruit. The trees seem to bear very heavy crops in some years, 

 while in other years the harvest is small. A drawback of a large crop is 

 that the great weight of the fruit causes the large limbs to snap off unless 

 they are propped or tied up. This, therefore, has to be done regularly. It 

 seems that when the trees of this variety reach the age of 40 or 50 years they 

 begin to decline in vigor; still, here and there old specimens may be seen that 

 are near the century mark. 



These large persimmons are mostly used when fresh. Foreigners in China 

 are fond of eating them with a spoon^ and after being kept in a cool place for 

 some hours the fruit is very refreshing. They can be eaten while still hard, 

 like apples. By careful handling and by keeping the persimmons at a low 

 temperature they can be preserved for several months. To keep them through 

 the winter the Chinese pile them in heaps, let them freeze thoroughly, and 

 keep them frozen until they are needed. When wanted, they are simply put 

 into a vessel with cold water to be thawed slowly, and then they are as good 

 as when freshly picked. They can also be eaten when slightly frozen, like 

 sherbet, and occasionally they are quite acceptable in that condition. 



Scions and young trees of this variety have been experimentally 

 distributed by the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction 

 under the name Tamopan (S. P. I. No. 16921), and the variety has 

 been sufficiently fruited to indicate its high promise. The fact that 

 the fruit loses its astringence before softening gives it special value, 

 and its unique form constitutes an effective identification mark by 

 which it can be readily recognized in market. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Form oblate to roundish oblate with a conspicuous equatorial con- 

 striction which distinguishes it from other types; size large to very 

 large; cavity regular, large, deep, slope gradual, marked with four 

 furrows and russeted; stem moderately stout; calyx segments of 

 medium size, reflexed around stem; apex depressed, terminating in 



Agricultural Explorations in the Fruit and Nut Orchards of China, Bulletin 204, Bureau 

 of Plant Industry, pp. 11-12. 



