INTRODUCTION 



the general character such as flavor, fragrance, juiciness and amount 

 of rag. In the general classification of the varieties of the lychee one 

 of the most interesting, and possibly significant groups is that which 

 the Chinese call the "water lychee" or "shuichih" (rK^t^ and 

 "mountain lychee"' or "shan chih" dli:0 classification. 



The lychee and the lungan are not without their natural 

 enemies. Very little is done in China to control these enemies. A 

 scientific study with regard to them is imperative in order both to 

 advance the industry in China and to prevent these enemies from 

 gaining a foothold in other countries in which these fruits can possibly 

 be grown. The most common insect attacking the lychee is a rela- 

 tive of the well known "stink bug" a highly decorated species of 

 the family Pentalomidac. The second most conspicuous enemy is 

 a mite, apparently an undescribed species of Eriophyes which cause 

 velvety galls on the leaves of the trees. Several species of-Scarabeidae 

 are especially troublesome to upland growers. A tree borer is also 

 common and the Chinese fight it most ingeniously by the use of fire 

 crackers. Minor, superficial fungi can be found on the leaves of the 

 trees but the thick, tough, glossy nature of the leaves makes their 

 susceptibility to fungi very slight indeed. But parasitic algae are very 

 common on both trunk and leaf. 



One of the most fascinating horticultural studies in China is 

 that of propagation. A Chinese plant propagator will never make an 

 attempt to give a scientific explanation of his interesting practices; 

 rather is lie content to throw about his art an air of mysticism. But 

 one always leaves the haunt of the Chinese gardener or nurseryman 

 with the inward feeling that the latter has his art at the right place 

 his fingers' tips : and that one is leaving with many whys and where- 

 fores still unexplained. That the western world has much to teach 

 China in the modern organization and systematic application of 

 scientific nursery practice is evident on all hands. But it is folly for 

 the West to feel that there is nothing to be learned from Chinese 

 patience, perseverance and skill in the utilization of nature's best for 

 the use of man. In this, as in many other fields, the great opportunity 

 open to the modemly trained student in China is to bridge the im- 

 mense chasm that often exists between the practices evolved from 

 organized knowledge and those that are the result of centuries of 

 experience and intuitive perception. 



Most of the lychee trees grown in the vicinity of Canton 

 have been propagated by the very common method known as 



