114 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 



D. VIRGINIANA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 

 acuminate, entire, nearly smooth ; petioles 

 downy ; buds smooth. Persimmon. Native 

 of the Middle and Southern States. 



In good soil this will frequently grow 

 forty or fifty feet high, and, in its habits of 

 growth, is one of the most picturesque 

 middle-sized trees we have. "When by itself 

 it grows conical, with its branches very tor- 

 tuose. ( It is interesting at all seasons. In 

 the spring, by its deep shining green foliage; 

 in the summer, by the light green fruit ; in 

 the fall, by the rich orange of its sered 

 leaves, with the deep brown of its fruit ; and 

 then in the winter, by its rustically -twisted, 

 " ram's-horn" like branches. It thrives best 

 in a deep rich loam. 



It is propagated by its seeds, sown as soon 

 as ripe. They will appear in the spring. It 

 is one of those trees which do not transplant 

 readily, if not carefully cultivated when 

 young. 



There is a specimen at Bartram sixty feet 

 high and three feet in circumference; and 

 another fine specimen of a variety planted 

 by William Bartram, which is of a fine fla- 

 vor long before the frost arrives. 



