172 lawson's history 



stand open. They are used instead of raisins and 

 currants, and make several pretty kirksliaws. 

 They yield a transparent crimson liquor, which 

 would make good wine ; but few people's incli- 

 nations in this country tend that way. The others 

 are a smooth leaved mulberry, fit for the silk worm. 

 One bears a white fruit, which is common ; the 

 other bears a small black berry, very sweet. They 

 would persuade me there, that the black mulberry 

 with the silk worm smooth leaf, was a white mul- 

 berry, and changed its fruit. The wood hereof is 

 very durable, and where the Indians cannot get 

 locust, they make use of this to make their bows. 



This tree grows extraordinary round and plea- 

 sant to the eye. 



The hickory, walnut, chinkapin, and chesnut, 

 with their fruits, we have mentioned before. 



The hazle nut grows plentifully in some places 

 of this country, especially towards the mountains ; 

 but ours are not so good as the English nuts, hav- 

 ing a much thicker shell (like all the fruits of 

 America, that I have met withal) which in hard- 

 ness exceeds those in Europe. 



The cherries of the woods grow to be very large 

 trees. One sort which is rarely found, is red, and 

 not much unlike the cornel berry. But the com- 

 mon cherry grows high and in bunches, like Eng- 

 lish currants, but much larger. TliQy are of a bit- 

 terish, sweet relish, and are equally valuable with 

 our small black cherries for an infusion in spirits. 



They yield a crimson liquor and are great bearers. 



