'11 1 



234 



I'REES GR(J\V1NG KN SANDY SOIL. 











Diosp^ros Virginiiina. 



mon has a very acrid lastc, as those fiiul thai have been unable 

 lo curb their impatience and have allowed its prettiness to 



tempt them to " try and see.'' Bi as 

 it grows older, perhaps knows lifi et- 

 ter, and has been mellowed and turned 

 to a rich, reddish orange or brown by 

 the unrelenting touch of Jack Frost, it 

 becomes sweet and agreeable. It is 

 also not until after the tree is a hun- 

 dred years old that it develops its 

 heart-wood. Then it is nearly black, 

 very firm and hard. From it shuttles 

 and shoe lasts are made. In fact, al- 

 most all the parts of the tree are use- 

 ful, as was well known by the Indians. 

 They, in some way, dried its fruit and afterwards made it into 

 beer. Combined with hops it is still brewed into domestic beer, 

 and it is manufactured into brandy. Tannin is also found in 

 the fruit which is possessed of a colouring matter, service- 

 able in making indelible ink. The seeds have been roasted as 

 a substitute for coffee. From the bitter bark a strengthening 

 tonic is produced. 



Throughout the southern part of the Atlantic and Gulf 

 states the tree is very common, and many of them are often 

 found growing thickly together in a shrubby form. The Duke 

 of Argyle presented a persimmon tree to George the Third, 

 and it is said to be still contentedly growing in the old abore- 

 tum at Kevv. 



CALIFORNIA MAHOGANY. {Plate CXXVII) 

 Rhus integrifblia. 



Bark: reddish or grevisli brown; rouc;h riiul ridged. Leava : simple; al- 

 ternate ; witii siiort, piibescuMit petioles ; oval ; rounded or i)ointed at the apex 



