DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
221 
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 
insufferably 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- 
ually brought into New- York market and its vicinity, from 
New-Jersey, 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 
glossy, like those of the orange. The blossoms are green 
and inconspicuous. 
The Persimon has no importance as a tree to recommend 
it ; but it may be admitted in all good collections for its 
pleasing shining foliage, and the variety which its singular 
fruit adds to the productions of a complete country residence. 
The common sort, (D. Virginiana,) grows readily from the 
seed. 
There is an European species, ( Diospyrus Lotus,) with 
yellow fruit about the size of a cherry, rather less palatable 
than our native kind. The specimens of this tree, which we 
have imported, appear too tender to bear our winters unpro- 
tected, so that it will probably not prove hardy in the north- 
ern states. 
