( so ) 



from selected seeds. The nuts in a single huitr number at 

 most three. In this case, the two side nuts are always 

 compressed and small, while the middle one is very large. 

 The latter is preferred as seeJ for wood-trees, while the thin, 

 smaller nuts are always used for the fruit-trees. The thick 

 well developed nuts produce, other conditions being equal, 

 more vigorous seedlings than the smaller ones, fruit later, and" 

 produce better wood. The chestnut-trees grow all over the 

 country, except the Riukiu Isles iand Formosa. In the south 

 part of Japan they grow only above certain altitudes, but from 

 35 degrees N.L. northwards they grow luxuriantly in the woods 

 and elsewhere. From 38 degrees N.L. northwards, the native 

 chestnut trees abound in fields and woodlands in a quite wild 

 condition. The region lying between about 35 degrees and 42 

 degrees N. L. is termed "Chestnut Belt" in view of the 

 horizontal distribution of the plant. Beyond this south limit 

 they grow in nature only in mountainous forests. The 

 chestnut tree is apparently well adapted anywhere within the 

 limits above specified, without regard to the character of the' 

 soil and the atmospheric conditions. Their adaptability to soil 

 is without paralleh The great chestnut centers are in the 

 provinces of Kai ; Funai, Kita-Kuwada Counties in the 

 province of Tamba, and Shuhi, a western county in the 

 province of Mino. The three regions are also the centers for 

 dried chestnuts. 



TROPICAL FRUITS. ■ 

 Bananasi Pineapples, Jambos, Mangos, and Papayas etc. 

 are grown recently in glass structures in Tokyo. They require 

 heated houses during the winter but grow and bear freely out- 

 of-doors in the hottest summer months even in this high 

 latilTide. Their natural distribution is limited to Riukiu, Boiiin 

 Isles and Formosa. In the extreme south of Kiushu, they 

 grow in the open' aif but it-'is rather difficult to get thtefruits ■ 

 even in the most favoui^ablfe seasons. Allied to the Bananas, 



