PROMISING NEW FRUITS. 271 



DESCRIPTION. 



Form oblong; size small to medium in comparison with many of 

 the more widely known Japanese varieties ; cavity even with surface, 

 somewhat corrugated and furrowed; calyx large, lobes strongly 

 reflexed; apex a raised point with four indistinct furrows radiating 

 from it; surface smooth; color yellowish red; dots minute, scatter- 

 ing; skin thin, rather tender; bloom whitish; flesh of very deep 

 orange color with reddish tinge toward center ; texture meaty, tender, 

 only moderately juicy, with rather numerous small fibers extending 

 nearly entire length; seeds long and rather large, number variable, 

 first fruits to ripen usually containing one or more, later fruits 

 mostly seedless or at most containing only undeveloped rudimentary 

 seeds; flavor sweet, fairly rich, losing all astringency when soft; 

 quality good to very good. The first fruits to ripen, which are 

 usually imperfect, reach maturity in November and December; the 

 bulk of the crop, however, retains its firmness, and at Ormond it is 

 usually gathered about the last week in December in order to avoid 

 the effects of the relatively low temperatures that are likely to occur 

 after that time. The foliage usually drops considerably before the 

 fruit is picked. While a temperature of 25 F. is said to have no 

 very appreciable effect on the fruit, if subjected to one below 25 F. 

 it causes the fitiits to soften, and fermentation soon follows. 1 



After the fruit is picked, if it is held in a cool place it matures 

 gradually, some of the specimens retaining their firmness ujitil Feb- 

 ruary and March, or even later in some instances. 



The tree makes a vigorous, upright growth and bears abundantly 

 and regularly. The foliage usually drops in early December in the 

 latitude of Ormond, and where the fruit is allowed to remain on the 

 trees, as is commonly done, till the end of that month or early Janu- 

 ary, the heavily loaded branches produce a striking effect. 



The late season and long-Jveeping qualities of this fruit, together 

 with its heavy and regular bearing proclivities and its pleasing des- 

 sert quality, make it a variety among the Japanese persimmons hav- 

 ing quite unusual characteristics. It should be widely, tested, but on 

 account of its lateness in maturing it may be expected to succeed best 

 in the more southern Japanese persimmon districts. 



The specimens illustrated in Plate VI were received from Mr. 

 James P. Vining, Ormond, Volusia County, Fla., in 1911. 



1 Letter from Mr. Vining, December, 1911. 



