182 SUCCESSFUL FRUIT CULTURE 



rant their extensive cultivation. WTien grown in a 

 too rich soil the trees are often destroyed by cold, there- 

 fore at the North it is best to plant in a rather light soil. 

 The fruit of most varieties is not edible until the decay- 

 ing process almost sets in, when they become very 

 delicious. The Japanese persimmons are much supe- 

 rior in size and quality, and are becoming of some com- 

 mercial importance in the South. They are not hardy 

 north of Washington. It is grafted upon the native 

 stock, which mav tend to make it more hardv. An effort 

 is being made to produce new varieties of the native 

 species, as well as from crosses with the Japanese, and 

 .we look for a great improvement in this fruit. Among 

 the best varieties now in cultivation are Hyakume, 

 Taber's N'o. 129, Yeddo, etc., etc. 



The cultivation required for success is not unlike 

 that to be given to the Japanese plum oi' peach, though 

 it is not as easily transplanted as either of the above. 



THE LOQUAT 

 (Eriohotrya Japonica) 



The Japanese medlar or Japanese plum, as it is 

 sometimes called, is a delicious fruit about the size of 

 the Eeine Claude plum, but of a brighter color. The 

 fruit ripens in March and April, and while the trees 

 are hardy as far north as the Middle South, its fruit 

 matures only as far north as the middle of Florida. 

 The leaves are large, dark green above, with a whitish 

 down upon the under side, making it a decidedly orna- 

 mental tree. In Southern Florida it is being somewhat 

 extensively planted, and the fruit often finds its way 

 into nearby markets, but is little seen in the Northern 

 markets. Besides its being used in a fresh state, eaten 

 from the hand, it is preserved, having something of 

 the flavor of sweet cherries. 



