B. P. I.--622. 



AGRICULTURAL EXPLORATIONS IN THE 

 FRUIT AND NUT ORCHARDS OF CHINA. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Chinese as a race are great lovers of fruits, and to satisfy their 

 taste they grow these wherever there is a chance to do so. They 

 understand the arts of grafting, budding, and layering; and although 

 they are far less successful in their attempts to originate new varieties 

 they are able to preserve those that have been secured. But as with 

 crops in general so with fruits; particular districts are often character- 

 ized by peculiar kinds, and it frequently happens that a certain 

 variety of fruit is found only in a single locality. This can be explained 

 by the fact that certain varieties have apparently developed from 

 seed obtained locally, and on account of the lack of skill in trans- 

 planting trees such varieties have never been successfully introduced 

 into other localities. However, when one asks about these things 

 one is generally told that certain fruits do not do well in other sec- 

 tions; that even if successfully transplanted they lose vigor or the 

 fruits never acquire the right flavor, etc. 



Another strange thing is that the Chinese never prune their fruit 

 trees, although the trees grow dense and their branches interweave. 

 When the branches become heavily loaded with fruit they are propped 

 up or tied with straw rope. The only fruit which is really scientifi- 

 cally pruned is the grape; but here it is apparently a case of absolute 

 necessity — no pruning, no fruit. 



In transplanting, however, the cutting back of roots is carried to 

 excess, and this is one of the reasons why tree planting in China is 

 considered such a hazardous undertaking. 



What is lacking, however, in the care of the trees is made up by the 

 excellent care bestowed upon the soil. All orchards are cultivated 

 except those of the jujube, which do not need it, but even these are 

 kept free from weeds. The custom is to plow the orchards before 

 the winter sets in, then to let the ground lie rough during that season, 

 to plow it again in the spring, and to harrow and cultivate whenever 

 the ground needs it, so as to conserve the subsoil moisture. Manuring 

 is not much resorted to for fruit trees, as fertilizers of all kinds are too 

 scarce; but crops are often grown between the trees, and perhaps the 

 trees obtain extra nourishment from the manure supplied to these 

 crops. 



64262°— Bui. 204—11 2 9 



