The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-16
THE. GlNKGO.
A Living Specimen OF the Vegetation OF
the Hesozoic Period.

A Living Specimen OF the Vegetation or
the Mesozoic Period.
There are few fine specimens of the
cinkgo as a fruit-bearing tree from
japan in the country, and the cultiva-
ton of it for its fruit is one of the pos
sibilities of American horticulture.
The tree has long been used here for
ornamental purposes, and it makes d
magnificent appearance in the garden.
Before 1877 there was only one ginkgo
in this country that had produced
fruit. and that one had been growing
for twenty years on the grounds of the
Kentucky military institute at Farm
dale. Fruit bearing specimens are now
met with quite frequently. and one OF
the finest is growing in the grounds of
Ellwanger X Barry, a tree that was
planted in 1860. and has now circum-
ference Of six feet and height OF over
fifty feet. 1t has an average from one
10 two pecl<s of fruit for the last five
years.
From all accounts, the ginkgos were
at one time a tribe Of trees that -four
ished quite extensively in North Amer
lea, and our present type is bout the
only relic that remains to us OF the
queer vegetation OF Mesozoic period.
is gradual disappearance from the
face of the earth has been due to un-
known cause, for. now that 1T is Guilt
waited here it fourishes again and null
tiplies quite rapidly. Had it not been
for the one survivor in eastern Asia.
the type wouid have entirely disap-
peared, and knowledge of the tree
would have been confined to the fossil
remains occasionally dug up in rocks
and limestone beds. We would have
known nothing of the flavor or general
appearance of the fruits. but now
we see them displayed &C.
casionally as specimens of d
rare plant. They resemble greenish-
yellow plums very much, and the meat
has an agreeable nutty flavor. The
stones are small, hard and smooth. The
trees are not prolific bearers. but what
may be accomplished through cultiva-
ton remains to be seen.
Cultivation of the trees is not difficult
when the right situation is given. A
rich, sandy soil is best adapted to the
nature of the tree, and above ali an
open sunny space. If crowded in be-
tween either trees or hrubbery. the
ginkgo refuses to develop evenly and
smoothly. To make it's ornamental an
pearance more striking it should stand
alone, for it is capable of beautifying
a large space without the. help of other
plant specimens 1t is heavy feeder,
and improves greatly with
rich. well-worked soil A light
mulch around the roots in very
hot weather prevents the roots
from being dried and burned The
trees are slow-growers naturally, but
under careful training they appear to
accelerate their growth remarkably.
In France they are found growing in
perfection, and many of them are mod
els of beauty, surprising in some in
stances those of Japan.
The possibility OF making a profit
from the trees is still very remote. The
fruit is little known in the markets, al
though it is gradually being intro
duced. and demand may eventually
be created for it. But high prices must
be obtained if at all profta bic. for one
tree yields only a small crop, and that
only after nearly quarter of a CEN
tury of growth. At present the trees
are for ornament and for curiosity. and
the fruits will only add to their pres
rnt value.