DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
215 
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 
annually brought into New York market and its vicinity, 
from New Jersey, and sold : the produce is very abundant, 
a single 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 
being 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 resi- 
dence. The common sort ( D . Virginiana) grows readily 
from the seed. 
There is an European Species ( Dyosporus 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 
unprotected, so that it will probably not prove hardy in the 
northern states. 
