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limestone in the ground ; does well in dry, deep soils ; straggling 

 grower. Stem slight, canes long, with long joints, purple when 

 tender, turning to hazel nut with bloom ; wood very red with 

 numerous laterals. Leaves large, elongated, but not cordiforrn 

 (the sides almost parallel), shiny, petiolary sinus, V-shaped. The 

 fig, as illustrated, compared with the others is somewhat under- 

 size. 



VITIS BERLANDIERI. This variety, also introduced from 

 America, has proved the saviour of vinegrowers on the calcareous 

 soils of the Cognac districts of France, when hitherto every 

 Phylloxera resisting stock tried had succumbed to chlorosis. 



THE SOLONIS. Believed to be a cross between V. Riparia and 

 V. Rupestris and V. Candicans. To its first two parents it owes its 

 immunity from the attack of the Phylloxera, and to the last its 

 remarkable aptitude for thriving in wet and marshy soils, where 

 most other stocks would die. Well adapted for heavy, clayey, and 

 wet soils. From its last parent it derives a certain degree of sus- 

 ceptibleness to anthracnose or black spot, and must receive suitable 

 treatment for that disease. A most resisting stock for soils impreg- 

 nated with saline substances. The cuttings do not strike so easily 

 as those of V. Riparia. 



PERSIMMONS OB KAKI (Diospyros Kaki). 



This fruit is also called Japanese Persimmon, to differentiate 

 it from the American Persimmon (D. Virginiana) . It is a pulpy 

 fruit, with few and sometimes no seeds, and a yellow flesh, which in 

 some varieties is streaked with brown. On account of its tap-root 

 the tree requires deep soil, moist and rich. When not ripe enough 

 the fruit is harsh and flavourless ; but when soft and pulpy it is rich, 

 and much liked by many. The Japanese gather the fruit when just 

 ripe, and pack it into cases for a time, when it mellows down and 

 become eatable. The following varieties are described by Pro- 

 fessor H. E. Van Demaii, Pomologist to the U.S. Department of 

 Agriculture : 



TANE-NASHI. Tane meaning seeds, and Nashi without; the 

 fruit being almost or entirely seedless. Excellent fruit either for 

 eating when ripe, for drying, or for making into preserves. Size 

 medium to large, about 3 inches in both diameters ; conical, 

 symmetrical in outline, not furrowed or ribbed ; stern cavity deep ; 

 skin smooth, reddish orange, with bloom ; flesh jelly-like, clear 

 orange yellow, not stringy or streaked. 



HACHIYA. Named after a county in the province of Miiio. 

 Fruit very large, often three or four inches in diameter, oblong- 

 conic, but tapers rather abruptly at the apex ; often quadrangular ; 

 dull orange in colour, with dark specks and faint reddish streaks 



