FRUITS VARIETIES AND CULTURE. 529 



LOQUAT OR JAPANESE MEDLAR. 

 (Eriobotrya or Photinia Japonica.) 



This plant belongs to the Rosaceae family, and was 

 introduced into this country a few years ago from China 

 or Japan. Its popularity is steadily increasing in the 

 orange regions of Florida and Louisiana, where it is culti- 

 vated successfully. The fruit forms in clusters from 

 white flowers of remarkable fragrance; it is small, one to 

 one and a half inch in diameter, of a creamy yellow color, 

 and in shape resembling a plum. The quality is subacid, 

 juicy and refreshing. Ripens from February to May. 



Cultivation. — It prefers a well-drained, sandy loam soil 

 with a clay subsoil. Plant at distances adopted in the 

 cultivation of the peach. The propagation is generally 

 by seeds, and but little effort has beeu put forth to im- 

 prove the Loquat by selection, although it seems to be 

 susceptible to decided change when judiciously treated. 

 The stocks used for its propagation should be some plant 

 belonging to the Rosaceae family. 



MANGOES.— ( M ang if era Indica.) 

 This is a tropical fruit and will not thrive above the 

 latitude where thin ice forms. It is grown in Southern 

 Florida for home use, since the delicate nature of the 

 fruit will not permit of shipping to any great distance. 

 The tree is large and spreading with lanceolate leaves 

 fully seven inches long. The flowers are white and 

 grow in clusters at the ends of the branches. The fruit 

 is shaped something like a cucumber, varying in color 

 from green to orange. The plant grows rapidly, and, 

 under proper treatment, will fruit when four years 

 old. It can be propagated by budding, grafting or from 

 the seeds. The following other varieties are grown in 

 Florida: 

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