46 
FLOEA OF THE SOUTH. 
from them is reputed to possses a peculiarly delicate flavor. 
That from the flowers of the chinquepin, on the contrary, 
is said to be poisonous. 
Tlie linn appears to be most abundant, at this time, in 
the western part of Jefferson county. 
The Cottonwood, Populus deltoides, now the chief re- 
source for steamboat fuel on the lower Mississippi — the 
ash timber having become nearly exhausted at all accessi- 
ble points — is of very quick growth, and the rapidity with 
which it is reproduced is consequently a very favorable 
circumstance. Every new deposit made by the inundations 
of the river is speedily covered with a spontaneous growth 
of young Cottonwood, standing as thickly as a crop of 
small grain. This arrests the sediment subsequently 
brought by the river, and new islands and bars are formed, 
upon which the growth, by a natural process becoming 
suflficiently thinned out, attains a considerable size in a 
very few years, thus renewing the supply of fuel, which 
otherwise would speedily become exhausted. 
The chestnut is only found in the interior, and most 
abundantly in the northern counties. The tree seems to 
have become diseased in latter years, and is rapidly dying 
out. 
EDIBLE FRUITS. 
The peach grows to perfection and in great variety. 
The pear has been cultivated with success, and many 
varieties are found in our yards and gardens. 
The apple is raised on all our plantations, but not to 
such perfection as in the North. 
Mgs are found ft-om the southern extremity of Florida 
to the 33d parallel. 
' Orange groves and orchards may be seen in Texas, 
