JAPAN PERSIMMONS 
Since its successful introduction into this country in 1875, the Japan Persimmon (Diospyros 
Kaki) has been slowly but steadily gaining in favor. Since native Persimmon seedlings (Diospyros 
Virginiana) are used as stocks on which to grow the Japan sorts, they can be grown on as wide a 
range of soil as the native Persimmon, and it is not too much to say that they will succeed with the 
minimum of care and attention with which any fruit may be successfully grown. At the same time, 
they respond generously to good care and cultivation. The trees arc vigorous, prolific and have few 
enemies. Some varieties are weakened because of their habit of overbearing, and their crops should 
be thinned. The region in which the Japan Persimmon may be grown covers the cotton-growing 
belt. 
As the fruit keeps and ships well, it can be placed on the market in good condition, though it 
requires some experience to know just when the different varieties are in best shipping condition. 
Wherever known in the markets, it meets with ready sale. 
A carefully selected list of varieties will give fruit in abundance from August to December and 
later. During a very considerable portion of this period other fruit crops are out of season. 
Planting and Management 
The soil on which the Persimmon orchard is set should be well prepared. Old field land may 
be used, but, if in poor condition, it should be built up before setting the trees. This can best be 
done by growing a crop of cowpeas or velvet beans on the land and plowing them under previous 
to planting. 
While Persimmon trees can be set out at any 
time between November 15 and March 1, in the 
lower South, preference in planting should be 
given to the period from December 1 to February 
1. They should be given a distance of 18 or 20 
feet apart each way, 134 or 108 trees per acre. 
Great care should be exercised in setting them, 
and the roots should not be allowed to become 
dried out. The tops should be cut back to 2 or 
2 x /i feet on the smaller sizes. 
Cultivation during the early portion of the 
season should be frequent and thorough. This 
may be discontinued about July 1 or 15, and a 
cover crop of natural weeds or cowpeas or beggar- 
weed should be allowed to cover the ground. To 
avoid danger from fire during winter, this should 
be turned into the soil after it has become dead 
and dry in autumn. Commercial fertilizers can 
be used to advantage, and these, with the food 
supplied by the cover crops, will keep the trees 
in a thrifty growing condition. 
Persimmons Packed for Shipment 
30 
