318 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



Rev. William N. Brewster of Hinghua, Fukien, China, de- 

 scribing the conditions under which the trees are cultivated 

 in that country, says : " They will not flourish north of the 

 frost line. They are particularly sensitive to cold when young. 

 It is the custom here to wrap the trees with straw to protect 

 them from the cold. After the trees are five or six years old 

 they are less sensitive, and it takes quite a heavy frost to injure 

 them." 



Regarding soil, G. W. Groff of the Canton Christian College 

 writes : " The litchi seems to do best on dykes of low land where 

 its roots can always secure all the water needed, and where 

 they are even subjected to periods of immersion. In some places 

 they grow on high land but not nearly so successfully." The 

 Rev. Mr. Brewster says on this subject: "The trees flourish 

 in a soft, moist black soil ; alluvium seems best. Near by or 

 on the bank of a stream or irrigation canal is best, though this 

 is not essential. Where there is no stream the trees should be 

 watered so frequently that the ground below the surface is 

 always moist ; about twice a week when rain is not abundant 

 should be enough. After the young trees are well started, 

 about two or three years old, the irrigations may be less fre- 

 quent." 



These authorities are quoted to show the conditions under 

 which the litchi is grown in China. Experience in other 

 countries has shown the tree to be reasonably adaptable in 

 regard to both climate and soil. While it prefers a humid atmos- 

 phere, it has succeeded in the relatively dry climate of Santa 

 Barbara, California, without more frequent irrigation than other 

 fruit-trees. On the plains of northern India, where the atmos- 

 phere is comparatively dry and the annual rainfall about 40 

 inches, it is cultivated on a commercial scale. Although the 

 best soil may be a rich alluvial loam, it has done well in Florida 

 on light sandy loam. It has not been successful, however, 

 on the rocky lands of southeastern Florida. Whether these 



