The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-04

ISlment OF Sucu cemeteries 10 % supporter
out Of the public funds would undoubtedly
be a stop that has its origin in practical needs,
and would subserye purposes which have
long called for public action.
TIE CHESTERFIELD rEEsIMmoN.
Only Northern mind, accustomed to turn
to account every means which nature fUg-
nishes men for the Improvement of their con-
dition by increasing their incomes. would
have seen in the Virginia persimmon a fruit
which was worthy Of being gathered in large
quantities and forwarded to the Northern
markets.
For nearly three hundred years. the period
during which Virginia has been in tho posses
sion o. white people. the persimmon OF Chcs-
teriield has fourished in apro.usi1n which has
probably only been elualed in the instance Of
the persimmon of Powhatan, Amelia, Nottoway
and perhaps other counties 81 Sou'hside Viz
ginia. Growing in the corners Of dilapidated
snake fences or on the slopes Of br0om-straw
f9 Ids so much beloved by tho native cattle
and the old hares, the persimmon tree Of
Chesterfield has from autumn to autumn been
covered with clusters Of red fruit. which as
winter approached and the keen winds blew
over the hills, have assumed darker hue un-
til they became almost black in color.
In this interval. some negro may have come
and gathered the finest clusters IN order to
make 'simmon beer which is only riyaled in
the estimation of his race by the beer which
is brewed from the honey-shuck, or hunters
in pursuit Of partrdges and doves may have
paused under the limbs and knocked down
the most tempting lunches, or the boy in
search of his wandering cows may have
turned aside to lurl q sticl, or stone into
the branches 70 bring down the fruit; or the
venerable cur. stinted in his food at his mas
ter's cabin. may have slowly trotted to the
site Of the tree in the early morning and de-
voured the fruit that Ind fallen 10 the ground
during the previous night.
These have been the principal consumers
Of the Chesterfield persimmon in the past
But this day is now gone. A number Of
Northerners who have settled in the county
since the war are now engaged in gathering
the persimmons. They first extract the seed
from the fruit by means of o machine. then
they sweeten it with white graduated sugar,
then store itin fve-pound boxes and ship to the
North. where each box Is sold for'si Sty-three
cents This price is said 10 leave margin
for considerable profit.
Hereafter tho Chesterfield persimmons. in
stead Of being feTmented into o beer TINT viii
enliyen the Chesterfield negro as he sits in
his cabin and plays the accordion on winter
nights or Of being gobbled up by the
emaciated Chesterfield cur when the old
hares in the broomstraw have become so fleet
and wary rs % eludo even tho pursuit of a
red fox, viii 90 90 add 10 the number OF
sweet-meats that are found on the tables of
the rich. Who knows? the Chesterfield per
simmon may yet surpass in popularity the
figs OF Italy and the dates OF Asia Minor, be-
cause more delicate in flavor.
There IS DO finer apple in the world than
the Albemarle pppin, no nobler melon than
the Hanover melon, no moro juicy pea than
the Sussex goober, no more delicious straw
berry than the Norfolk strawberry. What is
is there to prevent the Chesterfield persim-
mons from becoming equally famous, because
in its special character equally unique
Nothing whatever
We extend the Northern gentlemen, who
are engaged in the persimmon industry in |
Chesterfield. our hearty encouragement and
beg 10 assure them that if they can make this /
industry profitable one. they viii be entitled !
to the gratitude Of the whole of Southside Viz |
ginia, the section in which the peysimmon |
tree seems to flourish best probably because /
the presence Of negroes, old hares. ours and |
broo mstraw fields is very promotiye OF its |
growth.