384 The Persimmon. 
strated that this fruit is susceptible of improvement in size, 
flavor, appearance, in bearing habit of the tree, and in direction 
of early and late varieties, and in all these directions not only 
in the line of better fruit, but fruit which commands in the mar- 
ket several times the value of the common types. The season 
for the loquat is from March to June, the bulk of the crop com- 
ing in April and the first half of May. The Advance Loquat is 
the best of the new varieties. 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 following varieties:— 
The Advance —Fruit yellow, pear-shaped, from two to three inches 
in length, clusters very large, very sweet when fully ripe. 
The Premier—Fruit salmon-colored, oval, large, but not as large 
as the Advance, sweet, but peculiar flavor. 
The Victor—Largest, color pink to red, probably the best for 
canning. 
THE PERSIMMON. 
The persimmon of the southern States (Diospyros Vir- 
giana) 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 
improved 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 cultivated. The amounts of fruit now reaching our mar- 
kets are increasing and a demand is found for certain amounts 
at jair prices, but there is no object now apparent for large in- 
crease 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 
