CHAPTER IX 



SOILS ADAPTED TO THE LYCHEE AND LUNGAN 



AND 

 C U LT U R A L M ETH O D S 



The Chinese believe that the type of fruit produced depends as 

 much upon the care of the tree as upon the variety or climate. A 

 successful lychee grower is ever on the alert to minister to every 

 whim of the plant's desire. In Kwangtung, lychee orchards are 

 rarely seen exposed to strong, north, winter winds. A low situation 

 to the south of a hill is preferable for large plantations. 



The lungan is more seldom grown under orchard conditions 

 than is the lychee. There is not so large a demand for this fruit 

 and the trees therefore more scattered although one often finds 

 attractive groups of lungan. The lungan tree endures the cold, 

 north winds better than the lychee but does not thrive so well under 

 water culture. But trees are often planted along the banks of ponds 

 where roots have plenty of access to water with exceedingly good 

 results. 



Dyke Plantings 



The delta of the Pearl is low and an extensive system of 

 dykes holds back the water of the streams from the rich delta lands. 

 The lychee is the favorite tree for these dykes and a considerable 

 proportion of the fruit produced in Kwangtung is grown on these 

 embankments. But lungan are rarely seen growing on these dykes. 

 Lychee trees planted along the main dykes of the streams are more 

 susceptible to the cold, wintery winds; and when the dikes are built 

 in series, the second and third are always considered preferable for 

 the lychee, especially when the situation is on the northern side of 

 the stream (figure 6). In South China dyke lychee are usually 

 planted 20-25 feet apart and a low spreading head is developed (fig- 

 ure 9). In some cases intercropping with banana, guava or even 

 plum (figure 13) is practiced while the lychee are still young. 



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