DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 245 



The Persimon bears a small, round, dull red fruit, about 

 an inch in diameter, containing six or seven stones ; it is 

 insufferably austere and bitter, until the autumnal frosts have 

 mellowed it and lessened its harshness, when it becomes 

 quite palatable. Considerable quantities of the fruit are 

 annually brought into New York market and its vicinity, 

 from New Jersey, and sold : the produce is very abundant, 

 a single tree often yielding several bushels. A strong 

 brandy has been distilled from them ; and in the south they 

 are said to enter into the composition of the country beer. 

 For the latter purpose they are pounded up with bran, dried, 

 and kept for use till wanted. 



The foliage of the Persimon is handsome ; the leaves 

 being four or five inches long, simple, oblong, dark green, 

 and glossy, like those of the orange. The blossoms are 

 green and inconspicuous. 



The Persimon has no importance as a tree to recommend 

 it ; but it may be admitted in all good collections for its 

 pleasing shining foliage, and the variety which its singular 

 fruit adds to the productions of a complete country resi- 

 dence. The common sort (D. Virginiana) grows readily 

 from the seed. 



There is an European Species {Dijosporus Lotus), with 

 yellow fruit about the size of a cherry, rather less palatable 

 than our native kind. The specimens of this tree, which 

 we have imported, appear too tender to bear our winters 

 unprotected, so that it will probably not prove hardy in the 

 northern states. 



