86 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY. 



the Mediterranean region, but in the West Indies too, I have found 

 that the Biwa becomes larger, handsomer, and better flavoured 

 than in their Japanese home. The shape, too, has changed. In 

 Japan the fruit is usually more or less spherical and as large as 

 big heart-cherries, in the adopted countries mentioned it is often 

 found in the form of a club or pear. The flesh, which is furnished 

 with a yellow epidermis, lies loosely about i to 6 large kernels ; it 

 is very juicy and of a tart, refreshing flavour, but without much 

 aroma. When not fully ripe, however, it tastes sour, and when 

 kept too long, insipid. The Biwa forms a transition to the group — 

 lb) Stone-fruit. 



6. Amygdahis persica, L., Jap. Momo or To. Peaches are by far 

 the most popular and widely-distributed stone-fruit of Japan. 

 They are of Chinese origin, and indeed de Candolle considers 

 China to have been in general the home of this plant. Several 

 varieties are found. They are smaller than the Chinese peaches 

 and most of ours, being, moreover, much inferior to the latter in 

 taste. Many large orchards exist, where they are carefully culti- 

 vated. Light sandy soil is chosen, as in the Mediterranean region 

 and the United States. The trees are planted in rows and are 

 trimmed to medium height. The ground is kept free from 

 weeds. 



7. Pnnms armeniaca, L., Jap. Andzu, apricots of the small- 

 fruit kind found in Southern P^urope, and seen often in Germany 

 also, and called by Duhamel " abricot de Portugal." They are here 

 and there ofl*ered for sale in July, but in general are rare. I found 

 them to be not materially diflerent from ours in appearance and 

 taste. ^ 



8. Prumis iiisititia, L., and P. domestica, L. Real damsons, as 

 well as cherries, are not found in Japan. Of the many sub- 

 species of plums one meets now and then a few the fruit of which 

 looks good enough, but it tastes insipid and watery. They have 

 evidently, like the apricots, found no great favour, and were pro- 

 bably introduced some time ago by the Portuguese or Dutch. The 

 name Hadankio is applied to a big yellow egg-plum, which recalls 

 Dame-Aubert (Duhamel). Botankio is a red variety, possibly 

 identical with Pnmus oxycarpa, (Bechstein). There is also a kind 

 resembling the Victoria plum. 



9. But the common red plum of Japan, called Su-momo, is Prunus 

 japoniciis^ Thunb. 



10. Prunus Mume^ S. and Z. {Amygdahis nana, Thunb.), Jap. 

 Mume, Bai, Japanese apricot-tree (Lauche). This species, a 

 favourite plant of the Japanese, and as such largely grown in 

 gardens and temple-groves, is cultivated chiefly on account of its 

 blossoms. Its round, pubescent fruit resembles apricots in form, or 

 rather small, hard peaches. It is hard and sour, and as a rule is 

 eaten salted or dried, under the name Ume (Mume)-boshi or Haku- 

 bai. It is also made into vinegar. 



