84 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
Celestial, Brown Turkey, Lemon, Green 
Ischia and Brunswick are leading sorts. 
These all do well in our part of the State, 
but I consider Celestial the most valua¬ 
ble, as the tree seems to be hardier, and 
it is the most prolific and regular bearer. 
The fruit though small is very sweet and 
excellent for preserves. Old fig trees 
will stand much more cold than young 
ones. I have noticed in Jacksonville 
that very few trees that were five to six 
inches or more in diameter were killed 
by the ’gg freeze, while all smaller ones 
were killed to the ground. I think it 
will pay to bank all fig trees, at least in 
North Florida, quite high in winter, as 
it is possible to save enough of the tree 
to make fruit the following season, even 
if the top does freeze. 
We are experimenting with about 
thirty varieties of figs, mostly from Cali¬ 
fornia, some of which promise fruit this 
year, and we are in hopes to be able to 
increase our list by finding something of 
larger size and more hardy. In my 
opinion, the dampness in Florida would 
make it as impossible to dry figs, as we 
are used to seeing them on the market, 
as it would be to cure raisins; but if we 
can succeed in producing an abundance 
of fine fruit I believe there will be great 
possibilities in canning, also in fresh fruit 
in near-by markets. 
KAKI. 
The kaki or Japan persimmon is a 
grand fruit for home use, and also has 
considerable market value, as they are 
found in all our large fruit markets in 
their season, and practically all of these 
are raised in Florida. A friend of mine 
has shipped them to England, and re¬ 
ports that they were received in fairly 
good condition and sold well. On the 
strength of this he has planted an 
orchard of about 2500 trees, using Hya- 
kurne, Hachiya and Tanne Nashi. He 
does not expect to market them all in 
England, but will give that market a 
thorough trial. He has had good success 
in our Northern markets. 
The right soil for persimmons is quite 
an important factor, for while the native 
persimmon seems to thrive in almost 
any kind of place, I have noticed that 
the Japanese varieties on it do not last 
long on wet or heavy soils, while on 
well drained, sandy soil they last much 
better. It is my opinion that the best 
soil for them is the high, sandy land of 
which there is an abundance in Florida, 
and there is no objection to planting in 
old fields. 
For home use there is no variety of 
more value than the Zengi. The most 
of its fruit is good while hard, and im¬ 
proves as it gets soft, until it is as de¬ 
licious as a persimmon can get. It 
makes the best tree, and is the most pro¬ 
lific and regular bearer. The Hyakume, 
Hachiya, Tanne-Nashi, Yemon and 
Okame are the favorite market sorts. 
The Costata, Tsuru and Triumph are 
good late varieties, but must be thor¬ 
oughly ripe, in fact so soft that they will 
hardly hold together, before they are 
good to eat. 
DISCUSSION. 
Mr. Bradt—I would like to ask what 
success, if any, there has been derived 
from shipping persimmons? 
Mr. Embry—Mr. Stevens told me that 
he had applications for many more than 
he could supply, at advanced prices. 
Mr. Bradt—I have made an effort to- 
