174 



a. p. W. CoUectinn. PlATE LXXXV 



Eriobotrya Japonica. 



LOOUAT. 



The Loquat has been for many years a famihar fruit in our 

 gardens, and is a native of China and Japan. It is a low ever- 

 green tree with thick foHage, and in congenial climates is a pro- 

 fuse bearer. Its leaves are thick, oblong, and remotely toothed 

 and grow near the ends of the branches. The white flowers 

 grow in clusters, are very fragrant, and the fruit, which also 

 ripens in clusters, about Christmas time, is pear-shaped, and has 

 an agreeable acid flavor. The seeds are large, and germinate 

 readily. Fine grafted and budded varieties have been introduced 

 by local horticulturalists. 



