CHAPTER XVIII. 



Apricots, Figs, Japan Persimmons, and Nuts. 



T^XPERIENCE in South Texas with several Florida varie- 

 H ties and a large number of the old standard kinds has, 

 ^^^ up to the present time, failed to develop a single pro- 

 ductive apricot. They all grow well and bloom profusely, 

 but fail to set their fruit. Recent experiments, however, 

 with the old Royal, at Arcadia, lead to the hope that it may 

 bear, for it set some fruit the present season, which unfortu- 

 nately a severe wind thrashed off. 



FIGS. This popular fruit should be in every man's yard 

 in abundance, both for himself and for his poultry, and, 

 being exceedingly surface-rooted naturally, should always be 

 grown from a cutting or very close root-pruned tree. But, 

 except for very nearby markets, it is almost useless to grow 

 figs in quantity. A large preserving establishment was 

 started in New Orleans a few years ago, and a very consider- 

 able quantity of the fruit put up, but experience soon showed 

 that the preserves were of such an exceedingly sweet and 

 cloying quality that very few could be eaten at once, and the 

 demand has been very small. The plant suspended opera- 

 tions a year ago, and is now idle. The fig thrives far better 

 in a firm, packed, undisturbed soil, like a back or chicken 

 yard, than when plowed and cultivated. The little Celeste or 

 Sugar is much the most hardy and popular kind, and if 

 trained up as a standard will make a very large and hand- 

 some shade tree. 



JAPAN PERSIMMONS. A few years ago it was impossible to 

 sell the fruit of this tree, or even give it away. Dr. Pearle, 

 of Houston, planted quite an orchard twelve or fifteen years 

 ago, and when the trees came into bearing, I happened to visit 

 the place in the fall, and found a large lot of the fruit on 

 hand, for which there was positively no demand. Since then, 



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