THE PERSIMMON 



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in April and the first half of May. The Advance Loquat was the 

 first of the new varieties to attract attention. It is very prolific. 

 The fruit is often as much as three inches in length, and from one 

 inch to one and one-half inches in diameter; it being of a peculiar 

 pear shape. The clusters frequently contain twenty specimens. 

 Its color is a bright orange yellow when fully ripe, and it should 

 never be picked until it is so. The flavor is distinct and very sweet. 

 Many compare it to the cherry. If not bruised when handled it 

 will keep easily two weeks, growing sweeter by the process, and 

 will eventually shrivel up without decay, thus proving itself capable 

 of being shipped long distances. Mr. Taft has named the follow- 

 ing varieties : 



Blush. Very large, much like Advance resistant to diseases. 



Advance. Yellow, pear-shaped, from two to three inches in length, clusters 

 very large, very sweet when fully ripe. 



Premier. Salmon-colored, oval, large, but not as large as the Advance. 

 sweet, but peculiar flavor. 



Victor. Largest, color pink to red, probably the best for canning. 

 Pineapple. Very large, round, immense clusters; flesh white, skin yellow. 

 Commercial. Very large, pear shaped, yellow with white flesh. 



THE PERSIMMON 



The persimmon of the southern States (Diospyros Virginiana) 

 was introduced into California in early days some time ago, as 

 there are trees thirty to forty feet high growing on Rancho Chico. 

 The widely-distributed species, however, is the Japanese (Diospyros 

 Kaki), of which many varieties are now fruiting in different parts 

 of the State. The tree is quite hardy, and fruits freely both along 

 the coast region and in the interior. It easily takes the form of a 

 low standard, and with its large, glossy leaves during the summer, 

 and its immense, high-colored fruit clinging to the twigs after the 

 leaves have fallen, it is a striking object in the orchard or in the 

 house garden. 



Persimmons grow readily from seed, but in most cases the im- 

 proved varieties must be reproduced by grafting on seedlings either 

 of the Japanese or American species. The tree seems to thrive 

 in any fair fruit soil, taking very kindly to close soils if well culti- 

 vated. The amounts of fruit now reaching our markets are increas- 

 ing and a demand is found for certain amounts at fair prices, but 

 there is no object now apparent for large increase of production. 

 This fruit, so highly esteemed in the Orient and so highly praised 

 by travelers, has not become as popular as expected on this coast, 

 nor have the great markets at the East required more than a car- 

 load or two a year so far. Americans who wish persimmons at 

 all seem to prefer the smaller but more piquant Virginia species. 



