252 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



melting in others, ranging from almost white to deep orange in 

 color, juicy, and of a sprightly, subacid flavor. The seeds may 

 , be as many as ten, since there are five cells in the ovary and two 

 ovules in each cell ; but usually several of the ovules are aborted, 

 and not more than three to five seeds develop. They are ovate 

 in form, flattened on the sides, light brown in color, and about 

 f of an inch long. Sometimes fruits with only one seed are found, 

 and varieties constantly one-seeded have been reported. 



Although formerly considered indigenous to Japan and China, 

 it is now believed that the loquat was originally limited to the 

 latter country. The late Frank N. Meyer considered the species 

 to be "in all probability indigenous to the hills of the mild- 

 wintered, moist regions of central-eastern China." He found it 

 in a semi-wild state near Tangsi, in Chekiang Province, a region 

 in which loquats are extensively cultivated for market. The 

 Chinese graft superior varieties on seedling stocks, but according 

 to Meyer 1 they are not very skillful in this work. Their finest 

 variety is said to be the pai bibaw or white loquat. 



The loquat has been cultivated in Japan since antiquity, and 

 is at present one of the important fruits of that country. It is 

 grown in the same regions as the citrus fruits, or even farther 

 north than the latter. T. Ikeda 2 points out that localities 

 noted for unusually fine loquats always lie close to the sea. 

 Numerous varieties have originated in Japan, the best of which 

 have been introduced into the United States and a few other 

 countries. While there are commercial orchards in many 

 places, the total number of trees growing in Japan is said to be 

 less than one million; hence it would seem that the industry 

 there should be capable of extension, for the fruit is popular 

 and the territory adapted to its production is large. 



In northern India the loquat is a fruit-tree of considerable 

 importance. A. C. Hartless, superintendent of the Government 



1 Bull. 204, Bur. Plant Industry. 



2 Fruit Culture in Japan. 



