Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-20

for this Chinese importation, however.
is that it is not only a rapid grower but
1t will stand the chill of the autumn
nights This enables a farmer to raise
two crops on single field-something
that is rare in the temperate zone; for.
after raising crop Of peas or other
spring vegetables this Chinese cabbage
may be planted, as late as the middle of
August and it will. through its rapid
growth. mature before killing frost.
Still another importation from China
is the giant turnip radish. which is ex-
actly what it's name signifies; this plant.
however, does not excite much enthusi-
asm among the scientists Of the Agricul-
tural Department.
But the Chinese jujube. another immi-
grant from the land of the celestials has
aroused special interest. The jujube Is
not a vegetable strictly, being more in
the nature of fruit 1t was found by
Mr.. Frank Meyer OF the Agricultural De-
partment while exploring through the
eastern provinces of China. He discov-
cred records concerning this jujube tree
that were 1000 years old.
There are many varieties, but all bear
strong resemblance to the Arabian
date in size, shape, color and flavor. It
is a popular dish among the Chinese.
being served stewed with rice-somewhat
analogous. no doubt to our rice pudding
with raisins. The jujube fruit is also eaten
candied or dried and is likewise preserved
in jars after the style of the American
housewife and her damsons
"A curious characteristic OF the 1u1uOo
tree is that, among the Chinese farmers
1T is ringed or girdled each year to in
crease the size of the fruit-a process that
would. in the case OF the ordinary Ameri-
can tree. result in speedy death. While
the jujube tree is being cultivated in Cali
fornia and Florida by the Agricultural
Department. 1t Is not essentially a SUBJ
tropical tree. Several specimen trees In
Washington stood the severe cold without
any appreciate damage during the frigid
winter of 1911-12.
Droughts also are without terrors for
the jujube tree which is probably due to
some ancient relations ship to the date
palm. This renders the possibilities OF
the culture in the arid regions Of the
country very broad. Since there are but
few trees bearing a nutritious fruit that
can stand the desert climate. the intro
duction of the jujube trees into the desert
reaches Of the west would be of inesti-
mable benefit
Still another peculiar Chinese product
that has elected the interest of the Agri-
cultural Department is the tung-shu or
wood oil tree. While this tree can hardly
come under the head of a vegetable, since
the chief value of its fruit is the excellent
quality of varnish that it contains. the
fruit is nevertheless also eaten by the
Chinese Strange to say, the fruit grown
upon trees in the United States has, In
almost every case. proven poisonous.
The tree however. is OF great value on
account of the wood oil contained in the
kernel of the fruit which IL bears The
paint and varnish manufacturers Of the
country look upon the Oil made from this
nut or fruit as superior to any other form
of wood varnish. The tree has been found
to thrive best in a subtropical climate
Another vegetable. imported from the
tropics is the chayote 1t is a vegetable
of the squash family.
Another importation. the papaya, is a
melon-from the West Indies-that is a
substitute. were such Il thing desired, for
the cantaloupe 1t is delciously sweet.
and grows upon an annual tree. Its de-
veiopment is now being theoretically
Thus much for a few of the $4,000
vegetable inportations made into the
United States through the efforts of the
plant exploration division of the bureau
1897 by DR.. Fairchiii. While, fifteen
years ago. the work was like a child
cropping in swaddlins clothes, SO to speak.
today it is one Of the active and
energetic branches OF the energetic Agr1-
cultural Department This branch of the
bureau of plant industry was started with
DR. Fairchild and a single assistant Now
he has several score employees under
him, and all busy. The methods Of work
are interesting.
II have sent men to all parts of the
world said DR.. Fairchild, in explana-
ton of the work of his division '.They
search for vegetable specimens that
might be of use to the people of the
United States If introduced among them
They are limited by nothing. except that
the objects of their search are plants
and trees. l am at present, however.
compelled to keep the number of men In
the field down to three. on account Of
the lack OF appropriation by Congress.
yet 1 have other sources of obtaining
and specimens - that is.
through the United States consuls I
keep in continual touch with them, STIR
ring them up to look for anything in the
nlant line that NAV he eyaod for