MISCELLANEOUS HARDY FRUITS. 



263 



are naturally so inclined to assume an elbowed 

 form, turning frequently at right angles in any 

 direction, that to keep them straight would be 

 almost an impossibility, and in our opinion 

 would only spoil the characteristic rusticity of 

 the tree. 



The fruit should remain on the tree until 

 the end of October or beginning of Novem- 

 ber; and when the stalk parts readily from 

 the bearing shoots it should be gathered on 

 a dry day, carried to the fruit-room, and 

 laid out upon the shelves. It is a good plan 

 to dip the end of the stalk in a solution of 

 common salt, for this tends to prevent the 

 attacks of a minute fungus, which usually 

 commences at that part and extends to the 

 fruit, which it renders useless. Some place 

 straw beneath the Medlars, but unless per- 

 fectly clean and dried upon a kiln or in the 

 sun, it encourages mouldiness, and is apt 

 to give them a musty flavour. The fruit 

 should be looked over from time to time, 

 and any that is affected with fungus must 

 be at once removed, otherwise it will taint 

 the rest. It becomes fit for use in two or 

 three weeks after gathering, and may keep 

 good till January. 



The varieties worthy of cultivation are: — 



Dutch Medlar. — Fruit very large, 1^ inch in diameter, 

 grayish-green previous to bletting, bright reddish -brown 

 when ripe. Flavour good, but inferior to that of the 

 Nottingham. 



Nottingham Medlar. — Fruit 1 inch in diameter, obo- 

 vate, of a bright yellowish-brown spotted with russet, of 

 a rich, brisk, sub-acid flavour. The best as regards quality. 

 Tree of upright growth; leaves small. 



Royal. — Fruit medium, flavour brisk and pleasing. Tree 

 of upright growth, and very productive. 



Stoneless. —Fruit small, \ inch in diameter, obovate, of 

 a russet -brown colour when ripe, and stoneless. Inferior 

 in flavour to the preceding sorts, but keeps longer, and is 

 worthy of cultivation on that account. 



Date Plum (Diospyros Kaki), also called 

 Japanese Persimmon and Kaki, is scarcely 

 known in English gardens yet, although it has 

 been cultivated for many years in the south of 

 Europe, and its fruits have found a ready 

 market in continental towns where their merits 

 are recognized. The tree is not likely to be 

 hardy in England, except in the warmer parts, 

 although Professor Sargent, whose observations 

 are quoted below, is of opinion that some of the 

 varieties cultivated in Japan would thrive in a 

 climate as cold as that of the north of England. 

 In a few gardens in the south the Diospyros 

 has ripened fruits in the open air, whilst in a 



sunny greenhouse at Kew it grows and fruits 

 every year. 



Apparently the requirements of the plant 

 are essentially those of the Apple or Peach; it 

 is certainly easily grown, and it flowers freely. 



Fig. 1047.— Date Plum [Diospyros Ecu 



About a dozen named varieties are now being 

 tried at Kew in an unheated house, and they 

 promise to do well there. 



As the varieties are propagated by grafting, 

 and the Diospyros bears male and female 

 flowers on separate plants, it follows that all 

 the plants we cultivate are females, and as they 

 mature their fruits without the aid of fertiliza- 

 tion, as in the case of the Banana, &c, they are 

 seedless. Fruits matured at Kew were as large 

 as a Cox's Orange Pippin Apple, and when ripe 

 were as soft as a very ripe Tomato, and quite 

 as juicy. 



The Date Plum has been abundantly grown, 

 from the earliest period, in all of the Japanese 

 provinces, except in those where the climate is 

 excessively hot or cold. 



The fruits are very harsh and astringent 

 before maturity, but become luscious and highly 

 nutritious when ripe, more especially after ex- 

 posure to frost. They are eatable in the raw 

 state when ripe, or made into very delicious 

 sweetmeats and dried fruit. From the unripe 

 fruit a juice is expressed, which is used instead 

 of varnish for many purposes, under the name 

 of Persimmon sap. The tree is distinguished 

 for the excessive hardness of its wood and its 

 black ebony-like colour. 



In Japan the Kaki has long been subject to 



