This exceedingly handsome fruit of Japanese origin is grown to a high
state of perfection in this State, particularly in the coastal districts
south of the tropic of Capricorn. It is a fruit of comparatively recent
introduction, the oldest trees being less than thirty years of age, but
has already become widely distributed, as well as a favourite fruit
amongst many. It is a very showy fruit when well grown, but must be
thoroughly ripe before it is eaten, as, if not, it is extremely
astringent, and anyone who has tackled an unripe fruit has no wish to
repeat the experience in a hurry. There are many varieties of this
fruit, some of which are seedless, and others more or less seedy. The
seedless kinds are usually preferred, as, as well as being seedless,
they are the largest and handsomest fruit. The different kinds vary
considerably in the size of tree, habit of growth, foliage, size and
colour of fruit, &c. All are easily grown, and most kinds are good and
regular bearers. They do well on any fruit soil, and some of the
dwarf-growing kinds are well adapted for growing in private gardens, on
account of the small amount of room they take up. The trees are
deciduous, and, as a rule, are not much troubled with pests. So far, the
use of the fruit is confined to its consumption fresh, though in Japan
it is dried in a similar manner to apricots or peaches.
[Illustration: Persimmons.]