98 THE LVCHKK AND LUNG AN 



yiuh luiny (tiam lit huny HJJIC) "Tliinl month rtrf" 



This is the earliest maturing lychee produced in Kwangtung. 



It appears on the markets in early May and finds a ready sale in spite 

 of its inferior quality compared with lychee produced later. A 

 village by the name of Ma yuen (Ma un jftm ) in Sunwui (iffffr) 

 district is very famous for its production of this variety. At this place 

 the fruit is known under the name of Tsao kuo t Tso kwo Jp-JR ) , 

 meaning "early fruit." It is also sometimes called Tsao li (Tso 

 lai ]&) or early lychee." It is grown chiefly along the dykes and 

 is quite readily distinguished from other varieties. The variety is 

 said to have originated in the Heungshan (&\\i) district near the 

 village of Sha yung (Sha ch'ung v4?$$). A Sung dynasty emperor is 

 reported to have visited this village, stopping with a family by the name 

 of Ma ( $, ) . The emperor was very fond of lychee, but as it was early 

 summer not any of the fruit had ripened. But strangely it was found 

 that fruit from some trees had ripened and thus the variety was 

 originated. 



The leaves of this variety are quite long and pointed and much 

 thicker than other varietes. The branches of tree are said to be very 

 brittle and easily broken off. The fruit is exceptionally large, averag- 

 ing over an ounce in weight (fig. 33). The skin is thick and tough 

 with few but large markings. The fruit is red but not brilliantly so. 

 The flesh is quite thick, not very sweet and with much rag. The 

 seeds are long and not matured. 



Pai la U chili (Pak lap (ai chi fifii^i) White wax lychu. 



This fruit is also known under the name of Po le tzu (Pak 

 lik tsz 6^?, white fragrant plant. The fruit is quite common 

 in the Heungshan (Ul) district and ripens after the Huai chih 

 (Wai chi tfltfc). The fruit is large and rounded with pink rough 

 skin and many lage dots. The flesh is not particularly sweet, some- 

 what stringy and tending to a pink color. The seeds are usually 

 large. 



Shan chih (Shan chi Uj$0 Mountain lychu. 



This is the variety which is doubtless nearest the wild form 

 and it is found widely scattered throughout Kwangtung. It is usually 

 found in the hills rather than along streams. It is grown in many 

 places and recognized as especially valuable for stock on which to 

 grow the better varieties. It is sometimes known under the name 

 Suan chih (Sun chi (ft ft) or "sour lychee." 



