The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-07

written for THE TINES by one Of the Old

Written for THE TINES by one cf the Old
'Uns.1
This fruit, although looked upon as "com-
mon and only fiji for dog. and swine 10y the
average Nirginian," is highly priced III
some sections of the nited states. The
Northern soldier during the war enjoyed il
immensely, and whenever ! 80 North and
meet with one. he never fails to remark upon
the delicious flavor Of the Virginia 'simmon,
and tell Of his enjoyment OF them when
down here. The trees are, as "A general
thing. found upon very poor land, but no
tice that wherever they abound the country
is healthy. ! don't want to get into trouble
with the Alliance" people, for may some
day be a candidate for the Legislature from
the Fourth district, but from observation
think Chesterfield county and the neigh
b0rhOOd OF BOn-Air takes the cake for
simmons. There is hardly front yard in
that popular village in which tins evidence
OF poverty is not found. and that may ac-
count for the fact that II is considered the
healthiest place in Virginia. one Of Rich
moud's most distinguished physicians said
that the land was so poor that disease
couldn't take root. There has been spirit of
rivalry from the beginning of time between
the counties Of Fluyanna and Chesterfield
on the "simm0n question: The time Is
coming when this fruit Will be cultivated
for purpose little dreamed of by the past
generation. Whistling schools have been
started in the North, and they are coming
this way. In fact, there was a company of
professional whistlers" here short time
ago. The green perslmmOn Is powerful
astringent, and lis "puckering" qualities
cannot be surpassed by anything else vet
discovered, and as a schOol-boy, have
after eating half dozen, been able 10 whls-
tie for hours at a time without getting the
least bit tired. Once during the war Gene
raj lOring saw one of his men on the road
side eating persimmOns that were not half
ripe, and called to him 10 know what he
meant by eating 'em, green as they were,
and the soldier replied: "Gen'l, don't cuss
me for it, I'm eating 'em. sir, 10 draw my
stomach up TO suit the size If my rations.'
knew a boy whose mother warned him not
to eat green persimmOns. He had never
thought about eating them till he was told
not to do it, and, boy like, he determined TO
see what kind O thing that was that his
ma told him lot to eat. Taking his
little brother with him., he visit
ed the forbidden tree" climbed up
and bit straight through the first one he had
ever tasted. His little brother seeing his
WHY face and distressed look, told him that
his mother was ''gwine 10 whip him." lie
Sided down the tree, saying, "whup the
devil, | spec Is pizined." The chief use
made of them by the Old Virginia negro
is in the manufacture of simmon
beer. prepared by macerating them
with a mixture Of villa locusts (honey
shucks) for few weeks, and there is
scarcely white man or woman of the
old stock Of Nirginians who has not tasted
of the beverage from the -.cymblin gourd"
of some negro shanty on the plantations.
After several good heavy fr0sts they are de-
licious. but, unfortunately, when they are
in a good condition to eat they are in bad
! condition TO ship, because they are
soft and mushy. The inner bark Of the
persimmon tree is sovereign remedy fec
sore mouth. tongue and throat and, IL it
could be had with convenience, the sale of
Chlorate of Potash would be- greatly les
sened by it. Ii was wise provision Of
Providence that persimmons can not be
transported for the hare, 'poSsum, hog and
the ''yaller'' dog OF the country Niger would
be cut ol'frOm what now constitutes large
proportion of their winter supply of food.
Many "A time have sat about the negro
cabin listening to their fayoritc Christmas
song, which runs as follows
"Apple cider m 'simmon beer.
Chrismus comes but onc't a year."