HORTICULTURE 283 



or more of these forms. In size they vary from one and one-half 

 by one and three-fourths to three and three-fourths by three and 

 one-half inches. In weight from a few ounces, as Zengi, to over a 

 pound, as some specimens of Hachiya and Tanenashi. The Japanese 

 persimmon is now widely cultivated to a greater or less extent 

 throughout most of the Southern United States and in parts of Cali- 

 fornia. In the Southern States the area adapted to its culture cor- 

 responds in a certain measure with the cotton belt. 



Marketing. The fruit should be gathered when it is fully ma' 

 lured and before it softens. It must be carefully handled so that 

 the rind is not injured and it should not be poured from one recep- 

 tacle to another, but handled entirely with the hands. It must be 

 cut from the trees, and for this purpose the best instrument is a pair 

 of ordinary orange clippers. All injured or bruised specimens 

 should be discarded. 



If the fruit is to be delivered to the home market it is prefer- 

 able that it be allowed to become quite or nearly matured on the trees. 

 In Florida difficulty is usually encountered in allowing it to ripen 

 on the trees as the mocking birds are extremely fond of the fruit. 

 In view of this fact, the better plan is to remove the fruit from the 

 trees when fully matured and just before it begins to soften. Place 

 it in a dry, warm room and allow it to ripen. The flavor will be 

 quite as good as when ripened on the trees. 



The best package for shipping the Kaki is the six-basket car- 

 rier, commonly used for tomatoes and peaches. The fruit should be 

 wrapped, the wrapper being of the best quality, as it is likely to be 

 torn by the small, sharp, nipple-like point at the apex of the fruit. 

 In placing them in the baskets they must be put in in regular order 

 and each basket in the carrier should contain exactly the same num- 

 ber of fruits. The first row should be put in with the base down- 

 ward and if three layers are required to fill the basket, the second 

 one should be reversed, while the third layer should be placed with 

 apices upperward. The fruit should project about one-half inch 

 above the sides of the baskets. If the fruit is to be sent into a new 

 market, it will be a good idea to place in each basket a small placard 

 giving the name of the fruit and stating how and at what stage of 

 ripeness it should be eaten. This will in some measure prevent at- 

 tempts at eating it before it is fully ripe and hence create a more 

 favorable impression of the fruit. 



Some of the California shipments of Japanese persimmons to 

 the Eastern markets have been made in box carriers containing a 

 number of trays in which the fruit is placed in single layers. This 

 seems to be an excellent method for shipping them and when opened 

 on the market, they show up in inviting shape. (Ind. E. S. B. 60; 

 Tenn. E. S. B. 1, Vol. XI. ; Fla. E. S. B. 71.) 



PINEAPPLE GROWING. 



It has been demonstrated repeatedly that even a willing laborer 

 may become a pineapple grower. The absolute outlay in money may 

 be reduced to the cost of the plants, the cost of the fertilizer, and the 

 cost of land. This puts the cost for the first year at about $50, and to 



