DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 187 



neighbourlioods where bees are kept in considerable num- 

 bers. 



The Catalpa is very easily propagated from seeds sown in 

 any light soil ; and the growth of the young plants is ex- 

 tremely rapid. C. syringafolia is the only species. 



The Persimon Tree. Diospyros. 



Nat. Ord. Ebenacese. Lin. Si/st. PoJygamia, Dioecia. 



The Highlands of the Hudson, and about the same lati- 

 tude on the Connecticut, may be considered the northern 

 limits of this small tree. It generally forms a spreading, 

 loose head, some twenty or thirty feet high, in good soils in 

 the middle states; but we have seen a specimen of nearly 

 eighty feet, in the old Bartram Garden at Philadelphia; and 

 fifty feet is probably the average growth on deep fertile lands 

 in the southern states. 



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

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

 insutferably 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 an- 

 nually brought into New- York market, from New-Jersey and 

 its vicinity, and sold : the produce is very abundant, a sin- 

 gle 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 be- 

 ing four or five inches long, simple, oblong, dark green, and 



