Eriobotrya japonica. The following are the best directions we have for its cultivation: -

"Light sandy loam, which is naturally rich, suits the loquat well. Young plants may be purchased of the London nurserymen; but they should be rejected if they have not been grafted on the common mespilus germanica, or some other nearly allied genius".

"They may be propagated by seeds or layers; but if so raised, they must be afterwards grafted. They may be planted six or eight feet apart in the house; but when they become too crowded every alternate plant should be removed on small hillocks of earth corresponding with the size of the plants, which, as they advance in growth, may, from time to time, have fresh earth added to their roots until the border is rilled level. Care must be taken, whilst the plants are young, to make them produce the requisite quantity of branches close to the graft, by shortening the shoots, or by pinching off the tips.

"The loquat is half-hardy; and it will therefore be necessary to keep a little fire in the house in winter, to prevent the frost from injuring the plants. The trees bloom naturally at that season; but in this respect are almost at the command of the gardener. They may be forced into bloom in autumn; or, by keeping the house very cool in winter, their blooming may be retarded until spring.

"The temperature, during the growing seasons, may correspond with that which is given to the peach when forced.

"When the fruit is gathered, more air should be admitted into the house. In autumn the sashes might be entirely removed, for a short time, so long as there is no danger of frost.

"Though a separate house is highly desirable to cultivate the loquat in, it by no means follows that it will not grow and fruit elsewhere. If it can be accommodated with the back-wall of a pine or plant-stove, with a border of two or three feet in breadth to grow in, it will succeed remarkably well. It is far from being a tender tree, or one difficult to manage, being of a robust, healthy habit, and requiring but little attention.

"Some people eat the fruit before it is quite ripe, at which period it has an agreeable acid flavour; but to obtain a, luscious, melting, highly-flavoured fruit, it should hang on the trees until somewhat shrivelled. It is probable that the fruit would ripen on the back-wall of some green-house, if it had plenty of light and air; at all events it is worth a trial." - Gard. Chron.