THE PERSIMMON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3102, 7 June 1881, Page 3

THE PERSIMMON.

fTO THE EDITOE OF THE DAILY TELEGr iPH.] Sib, —Several paragraphs have lately appeared in the Napier papers aboat the now to be introduced Japanese trees and slants. The persimmon is known by the English name of the date plum, of which some fifty sorts are known to botanisfs. They are either shrubs or trees, and t.x'e inhabitants of various parts of the world, and tolong to the 23 Linean Clps3, Polygamia. The fruit is of the ske of a large cherry, yellowish green, and very sweet when rips. One variety is an inhabitant of North America, from whence it was introduced into Europe, where the fruit ripens in the mi'der parts. The fruit is the size of a date. The Japanese persimmon, the parent of tho:.T varities now to be introduced, should succeed here, as pur climate is similar to that of Japan. The fruit of the Japanese varieties is of large size. The trees require a medium heavy soil, and, above all, good drainage, a good aspeit, and some shelter for a j ear or two. Under these circumstances they ought to succeed in the Na;icr gardens, and near the sea coast they cm hardly be misplaced. The bamboo i 3 a gigantic grass, and requires a damp soil. Several varieties grow well here, and those from Japan, some of which are useful sorts, will doubtless adapt themselves to our soil and climate. -~ I am, &c, F. W. C. Sturm. West Clive, June 6, 1881.