JAPANESE PEESIMMON, OR DATE PLUM. 169 



serving the health and purifying the blood. This fact is insisted 

 on by the Japanese doctors, some of whom I have known to 

 cure their patients by a ' persimmon cure/ like that of the ' grape 

 cure' of Southern Europe." 



The following are the best varieties, so far introduced into 

 the United States, and for sale by our principal Florida nur- 

 serymen : 



TANEASHI, OR SEEDLESS. 



Very fine, large, oblong ; flesh, soft; color, dark red, with 

 black spots. 



IMPERIAL. 



Shaped like an acorn or Minie ball ; very large, with dark 

 stripes on the surface ; flesh, soft when ripe, sweet and fine. 



ROYAL. 



Nearly round ; pale yellow ; large size ; early. Ripens on 

 tree ; good for drying. 



AMONG. 



Large, round, a little flattened ; orange color. 



MINOKAKL 



Very large, oblong, pointed ; highly colored, often without 

 seeds. 



HYAKAME. 



Largest known, and of the very best quality. 



MIKADO. 



Flat like a tomato ; medium sized ; bright yellow ; flesh, 

 solid. 



TAIKOU. 



Round, pale or greenish yellow ; fair size. 



NIHON. 



Slightly oblong ; yellowish red ; black spots on the surface, 

 and in the flesh ; flesh, solid ; very early. 



