Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-09-24
A TOOTHsOME MOESEL.
The rers,nmon After 1t iirs rcCn FER
fsctcd by the Early iva,t.

The rersiEinon After 1t HES FcCn FER
feeted by the Early fra,t.
Two years ago l went forth one
fine January morning to search tho
surrounding country for some
plants l needed for the plantations
in town. In due time found what
! wanted, but instead of being con-
tented with my easy success | vent
farther on and soon came into trou-
ble-that is, I lost my way, and dim
ner hour came before | knew
"wherc l was at. did not need
to stnrvc, however, and it wHs then
ard there that the resources of this
seemingly so desolate country be-
came apparent to me, and, though
no hospitahle shanty was visible,
the woods laid the table, and d
dainty one in the bargain, for |
could feast on Ie1simmuns, drink
my own and the rest of mankind $
health iii clear, ice cold spring water
and finish up hy finding my dessert
in pricl;ly rea1s. 1t may not be
quite devoid of interest that ] dis
covered soon after that ! had not
been far from Pinehurst at all, ouly
had circle,l around the town instead
of cutting through. Since that day
have preserved deep gratitude
toward our native fruits, and al
ways try to cultivate the taste OF
our guests from the north so that
they may share my liking.
For those who like to know Il lit
tie more Of the whereabouts of the
persimmons | write the following
notes: The persimmon (DiospyroS
virsiniana) grows nearly every
where in North Carolina and is
found as far north as New York
state and Rhode Island, but COM
monty it is not hardy beyond Phlla-
delphia. 1t will be easily reoogniz-
ell in our woods by its perfectly
symmetrical growth and its gray
ish, somewhat rough bark, and, last
but not least, by its fruits. Though
usually not higher than is to 20 feet
with us, there are specimens i'll this
vicinity over 40 feet tall and OF Il
trunk diameter of about Is inches
(McKenzie's farm. The foliage is
bright green and glossy, appears
early and changes to purple before
dropping.
The rather insignificant whitisll
blossoms open in June, are fragrant
and much relishod by bees. They
arc followed by the quickly develop
ing fruit, which attains lis full size
and color by August. But woe I,
tho investigating stranger who
might be tempted to try these in
viting looking plumlike fruits Holy
horror will sson depict itself Urol
his face, and his mouth viii 1t exec
take all kinds Of fOln!s 1iCin wills
thing toa broad grin. Ec VII ~ { (.
off the use Of rersinn.un@ Ion y!
time to cone, al,l--wiil Ike then
the more later on. For, nilsd yc, Il
that time the fruits are pUtkcrir,
and astringent above all things ar'
want to be left quite alone.
Everything, however, comoth un
to him who waits, and tho first early
frost will accomplish quite Il nan
velous metamolplosis. Instead O
looking smooth AID plump al.
more, they will tAcn lie solncY In
withered, and, best Of all, the des
picuhlc tstllraCNt taste will Lay
mace way to ii delicious sWeetnes
resembling somewhat hat Ct dates
Now the time has come for luan aL'
postum to rcvol in simmons. Ill
gourmet will fare even better ye
by following the old drug sist'
adagc, shaken before taken, ant
accordingly he shakes the tree ant
does not mind to pick up the juic.
fruit from The ground. HE rip
fruits are sometimes used i'll tn
making of Il beer simmon beer
which is sand to be "HOt bad, Will
the fermeuted fruit ful nishes
brandy that improves with age
The wood is found very useful 10
shoe lasts, mallets and viOlins an
is regarded as an equal to ash o
beech and nearly coming Up t
hickory. A decoctiCn of the astriI
gent inner bark is supposed to b
salubrious against intermittent #
vers.
There halls from Japan anothe