18 BULLETIN 1215, V. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
TILLAGE. 
The jujube has been observed making a vigorous growth and pro- 
ducing a good crop of fruit along neglected fence rows and in other 
places where the weeds and undergrowth were about as high as the 
trees, but it has also been noted that in places where it is well cared 
for by cultivation and irrigation the fruits are much larger. Cer- 
tainly the young trees should be well cared for, in order to get them 
properly established and give them a good start. No young tree can 
be planted in dry soil where the annual rainfall is very low and be 
expected to grow without irrigation and cultivation. 
Meyer (9) says of the jujube: "It stands more neglect than any 
other of the Chinese fruits and . . . seems to thrive in dooryards in 
which the soil is packed down until almost 
as hard as a brick. It responds, however, 
to cultivation, and in the district around 
Paihsiangchen, Shansi, where the largest 
varieties in all China occur, the orchards 
of jujubes are well cultivated." 
DISEASES AND INSECTS. 
The Chinese jujube is remarkably free 
from insect pests and plant diseases. 
Among the thousands of jujube plants 
propagated and distributed from the Plant 
Introduction Field Station at Chico, Calif., 
no insect pests have been discovered, and 
while a very few plants have been found 
that had what appeared to be hairy-root, 
yet a positive identification has never been 
made, although plants have been sent to 
the Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Bu- 
reau of Plant Industry, United States De- 
partment of Agriculture. 
Meyer reported a peculiar bunch dis- 
ease which caused a considerable re- 
duction of the crop in the vicinity of 
Paihsiangchen, Shansi, China. One or 
two cases of aphis infestation have been 
reported late in the fall, in which in- 
stances the aphids appeared after other trees had dropped their 
leaves. 
METHODS OF UTILIZING THE CHINESE JUJUBE. 
The jujube may be utilized in a number of ways. As regards food 
value the jujube' stands among the first of our fruits, as shown by 
analysis. It may be utilized as a fresh ripe fruit or in the dried con- 
dition. While not as desirable to eat out of hand as some of our other 
fruits, it is superior to most of them when put up as a confection. 
It has a flavor that is distinct and pleasing, making the fruit highly 
desirable. It can be used in many ways in the home. Directions for 
utilizing the fruit in various ways are given here, and these can be 
Fig. 6. — Chinese multiple- 
blade knife (at the left), 
used for scoring the jujube 
fruits preparatory to proc- 
essing; a substitute (at the 
right) easily made of razor 
blades. 
