26 



THE JAPANESE PERSIMMON.* 



The term Kaki, is used by both Japanese and Americans for this 

 species, Diospyros Kaki. It is a native of Japan, but is found in Corea, 

 China, Cochin-China, and some parts of the East Indies, probably 

 having been introduced into these countries from Japan. There is 

 considerable doubt, however, about this point, as the varieties found in 

 China and Corea are said to be more hardy than those of Japan. Ja- 

 panese persimmon trees are conspicuous in the landscape of the Island 

 Empire. The trees are plentiful in the native flora and they have 

 been largely planted in cultivated grounds. The people of Japan re- 

 gard the persimmon as their most valuable fruit. No tree in their gar- 

 dens is more admired than the persimmon with its large, broad, glossy 

 leaves and handsome crimson or golden fruit. The Japanese have not 

 made a mistake by giving this fruit such high rank simply as an ar- 

 ticle of food, since chemical analysis show that it has a high nutritive 

 value. 



The Kaki has been improved by the Japanese until it is much 

 superior to the wild fruit. A large number of seedlings have been 

 grown and the best ones retained for general cultivation. The seed of 

 the Japanese persimmon, like that of the American persimmon, does 

 not fully reproduce the characteristics of the specimen from which it 

 is taken; hence, many varieties have arisen, the fruits of which vary 

 more or less in every particular. It is these same varieties of Japanese 

 origin, excepting a few of American production, that are cultivated 

 in the United States. 



Botanical Characters. 



The trees of the Japanese persimmon are of medium j size when grown 

 on their own roots and in their native habitat. The leaves vary con- 

 siderably in shape and size in the cultivated varieties, but are generally 

 ovate, elliptic, aouminated, elliptic-oblong,, or obovate, cordate at the 

 base, paler underneath, downy on both sides, entire, varying in length 

 from three [to eight inches. The flowers are inconspicuous, whitish 

 green ; the peduncles are usually three flowered. The flowers aie com- 

 plete but all varieties are not equally telf fertile. 



The wild fruit is " yellow when ripe, globose, 8-celled, size of an 

 orange, abounding in yellow, fleshy, edible pulp" which is considered 

 fairly pleasant. The Kaki has been improved by the Japanese until 

 it is much^ superior to the wild fruit. The average specimen weighs 

 about six ounces. Some specimens examined of the Hachiya from 

 Florida, weighed over ten ounces. By extra care single specimens 

 have been made to weigh a pound or more, which weight is rarely sur- 

 passed by the apple. 



Fruits of the Japanese persimmon vary greatly in shape, being glo- 

 bular, oblate, oblong, or a combination of these forms. 



* Extracts from Bulletin on Persimmons by R. L. Watts, Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station of Tennessee. 



