PERSIMMONS. 13 



Another variety, called "Shau mo pan slii tze," or small grindstone 

 persimmon, resembles the first in every respect except as to the size 

 of the fruit, which is smaller, being from 2 to 3 inches in diameter. 

 For this reason the variety is not very generally planted. (S. P. I. No. 

 22366.) 



Another kind, called "Siang shi tze," or sweet persimmon, is 

 extremely rare; in fact, there seems to be only one tree of it, growing 

 in an old temple yard in the Pang Mountains, east of Peking. The 

 fruit is flat, but has no equatorial constriction. It also has seeds, 

 generally from three to six. The skin is so tender that the fruit can 

 not be shipped well unless frozen hard. It makes up for these defects 

 by being particularly sweet and fresh in flavor. (S. P. I. Nos. 21910 

 and 22597.) 



Another variety is called the "Lien hua shi tze," or lotus-flower 

 persimmon (fig. 3). The appearance of the fruit of this variety is 



Fig. 3.— Seedless persimmons, showing their remarkable shape. This variety is called '-'Lien hua 

 shi tze," or lotus-flower persimmon. Introduction Xos. 16910 and 22367. 



very peculiar. It is not large, only 2 inches in diameter, and bears 

 besides the equatorial constriction two cross furrows, varying in 

 depth in different fruits. Sometimes the incisions are so deep as to 

 divide the top of the fruit into four lobes, resembling a coarse, waxy 

 flower; hence, perhaps, the name lotus-flower persimmon. At other 

 times, however, the incisions are so slight as merely to make the fruit 

 appear undulated. The fruit is seedless and of a bright orange-red 

 color. The flavor is not as fine, however, as that of the larger varie- 

 ties mentioned before. The trees have the peculiarity of making a 

 big warty growth where they have been united to the wild stock, and 

 can always be recognized by that means. 



The trees of this variety grow to a greater size than the other kinds, 

 being from 60 to 80 feet tall, with heavy trunks. (See PI. Ill, fig. 2.) 

 They also live to a much greater age. In general they seem to be 

 heavier bearers, but the fruit is several weeks later in ripening than 



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