28 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



35253 to 35262. 



From Laoling, Shantung, China. Secured by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, agricultural 

 explorer. Received at the Plant Introduction Field Station, Chico, Cal., 

 May 9, 1913. 

 Cuttings or rooted plants of the following: 



35263 to 36257. Ziziphus jujuba Miller. Jujube. 

 (Ziziphiis saliva Gaertn.) 

 35263. From Laoling, Shantung, China. "(No. 1021, March 30, 1913.) 

 A variety of jujube, called Wu hu tsao or Ya tsao, bearing fruits which are 

 either perfectly seedless or, if not, ha™g such a soft kernel that one 

 does not notice it when eating the fruit. The trees of this variety do 

 not grow very old or to any large size; they possess but few spines and 

 sucker only moderately. It ia the custom in the Laoling district to ring 

 the trees every year, just when the fruit is setting, by means of sawing 

 through the bark of the trunk, starting the first ring a few inches above 

 the ground and leaAong a space of about three-fourths of an inch between 

 the successive rings. They start the ringing when the trees are 6 or 7 

 years old and continue it for 20 to 30 years, after which time the tree gen- 

 erally dies and is removed. The reason for this ringing process is the fact 

 that a tree which is ringed produces almost twice as much fruit as an 

 unringed one, although the fruits of the latter are much sweeter. These 

 seedless jujube fruits are generally steamed shortly after they have been 

 collected; then they are dried again and in this state they are kept 

 throughout the whole winter until the next summer. With the Chinese 

 fruit growers themselves they are not as great favorites as one would 

 suspect. This is accounted for by their lack of sweetness and the steam- 

 ing process they have to undergo, while the ordinary varieties are much 

 sweeter and can be eaten straightaway. To the western palate, however, 

 they appeal strongly and bear some comparison to an intermediate 

 flavor between raisins and candied citron rind. They can be served as 

 sweetmeats by themselves or mixed with peanuts; they can also be 

 stewed with millet or rice, and compotes and cake fillings can be made 

 from them and in all their various forms they are quite acceptable. 

 When once successfully growing in the United States, attempts should 

 be made to cross this variety with the larger fruited forms, so as to obtain 

 more variation in the size of the fruit." (Meyer.) 



35254. From Laoling, Shantung, China. ''(No. 1022, March 30, 1913.) 

 A variety of jujube, called Wu hu tsao, or Ta tsao, coming from a differ- 

 ent locality than the preceding number; otherwise the same remarks 

 apply to it." (Meyer.) 



35255. From Laoling, Shantung, China. "(No. 1023, March 30, 1913.) 

 A variety of jujube, called Tze lin tsao, meaning 'scarlet jujube.' Fruits 

 as large as small eggs. The trees are of rather dense growth, possess 

 many slender branches, and the young wood is quite spiny. These 

 trees are not ringed. This variety is but sparingly cultivated, as it 

 seems to produce very few suckers." (Meyer.) 



35256. From Laoling, Shantung, China. "(No. 1024, March 30, 1913.) 

 A variety of jujube, called Tang tsao, meaning 'sugar jujube.' The fruits 

 are large, of very elongated shape, and thinner in the middle than at 

 both ends. Trees of vigorous growth, having many branches, which 

 are spiny when young. A rare variety, which is not ringed." (Meyer.) 



