The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-04-11
THE PERSIMMON.

The Remarkable Metamorphosis
 Wrought In This Peculiar Fruit by
 the First Frost,
 Two years ago went forth one fine January morning to search the sur- rounding the country for some plants I needed for the plantation in town In due time I found what I wanted, but instead of being contented with my easy success. went further on, and soon cahle into trouble; that is, lost my way and dinner hour came be- fore I knew "where was at I did not need to starve, however, and it was then and there that the resources of this seemingly so desolate country be- came apparent to me, and though no hospitable shanty was visible, the wood laid the table, and dainty one in the bargain, for could feast on persimmons, drink my own and the rest of mankind's health in clear, ice cold spring water and finish up by finding my dessert in priclzly pears. It may not be quite devoid of interest that discovered soon after that had not been far from Pinehurst at all, only had circled around the town in- stead of cutting through. Since that day I have preserved a. deep gratitude toward our native fruits, and I always try to cultivate the taste of our guests from the north so that they may share
 my liking.
 For those who like to know a little more of the whereabouts of the persim- mons I write the following notes: The persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) grows nearly everywhere in North Car olina and is found as far north as New York state and Rhode Island, but commonly it is not hardy beyond Phil adelphia. It will be easily recognized in our woods by its perfectly symrnetri- cal growth, and it's grayish, somewhat rough bark, and ,last but not least, by it's fruits. Though usually not highet than fifteen to twenty feet with us there are specimens in this vicinity over forty feet tall and of trunk diam eter of about fifteen inches (McKen- zies farm). The foliage is bright greer and glossy, appears early and changes to purple before dropping. The rather insignificant whitish blossoms open il
 June, are fragrant and much relishet by bees. They are followed by the quickly developing fruit, which attains it's full size and color by August. But
 woe to the Investigating stranger who
 mighted be tempted to try these invit. ing-loolSing plum-like fruits. Holy
 horror will soon depict itself upon his face, and his mouth will at once takt all kinds of forms from whistling to :
 broad grin. He will swear off the us' q c.. tN 1n | and-will like them the more later on I For, mind ye, at that time the fruit'
 are puckering and astringent above al things, and want to be left alone.
 | Everything, however, cometh untt
 him who waits, and the first earl, | frost will accomplish quite a marvel | lous metamorphosis. Instead of look | ing smooth and plump any more, the. will then be somewhat withered, and l best of all, the despisable astringen 1 taste will have made way to delicious 1 sweetness resembling somewhat tha | of dates. Now the time has come fo 1 man and 'possum to revel in simmons l The gourmet will fare even better ye l by following the old druggists adage
 Shake before taken" and accordingl.
 he shakes the tree and does not mind t l pick up the juicy fruit from tn
 ground. The ripe fruits are sometime I used in the making of a beer simmo, beer-which is said to be mot bad while the fermented fruit furnishes l brandy that improves with age. Th I wood is found very useful for sho
 lasts, mallets and violins, and is re
 garded as an equal to ash or beech an,
 nearly coming up to hickory. /
 decoction of the astringent inne bark is supposed to be salubriou
 against intermittent fevers.-The Pine l hurst Outlook.