New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-03
THE PERSINHOH.
TIE REMARKABLE METAMORPHOSIs WROUGHT
IN THIS PECULIAR FRUIT BY THE
FIRST FROST.

FIRST FROST.
From The Pnehurst outlook.
Two years ago went forth one fine January
morning To search the surrounding country for
some plants | needed for the plantations In
town. In due time found what wanted bat
instead of being contented with my easy sue
ccss. went further on and soon came into
trouble: that is. | lost my way. and dinner hour
came before | knew where / was at" ! did
not need to starye. however and it was ther
and there that the resources Of this seemingly
80 d"solate country became apparent 10 me. and
though no hosptable shanty was visible. The
woods laid the table and a dainty one n the
bargain. for could feast on persimmons. drink
ny own and the rest Of mankind's health In
clear. ice-cod spring water. and finish up by
finding my dessert in prickly pears. 1t may not
bee quite devoid OF interest that | discovered
soon after that | had not been far from Pine
hurst At all. only had circled around the town
instead OF cutting through. Since that lay
have preserved a deep gratitude toward our
native fruits. and always try to cultivate the
taste Of guests from the North SO that they
may share my liking.
For those who like 10 know a little more OF
the whereabouts ~ the perslmmons write the
following notes: The persimmon lDiospyros vir-
ginlnaJ grows nearly everywhere N North
Carolina and is found as far north As N"W-fork
state and Rhode Island. but commonly L IS not
hardy beyond Philadelphia 1t Will De- easily
recognized in our woods by it's perfectly sym
metrica growth. and its grayish. s'mewhat
rough bark and. last. but not least. hy its
u twenty feet with IA. there are Sp", mems IN
this vicinity over forty feet tall and ot trunk
diameter ~ about fifteen inches lMckenzies
farm. The foliage is bright green and glossy
appears early and changes to purpl" before
dropping. The rather insignificant whitish BIOS
SONS open in June. are fragrant ana nucn
rcshcd by bees. They are followed BY me
quickly developing fruit. which attains lis 'uh
size and color 10y August. But woe 10 the IN
vcstigating stranger who might be tempted to
try these inviting looking pumlike fruits Holy
- "a and
his mouth will at once take Al kinds Of forms
from whistling 10 "A broad grin. He viii swear
oif the use OF pcrsimmons for all time TO come.
and will like them the more later on. For
mind ye at that time the fruits are puckcring
and astringent above all things and want 10
be left quite alone.
Everything however. cometh unto him VINO
waits. and the first early frost will accomplish
quite a marvellous mriamorphoss. Instead OF
looking smooth and plump any more, they VIII
then lie somewhat wthered. and best OF all
the dcspisahlc astringcnt taste will hay" maze
way 20 u delicious sweetness resembling some
for man and 'possum to rcvcl N simmons. the
gourmet viii fare even better yet by following
the old druggists adagc. Shaken hcfpr" taken,
and accordingly he shakes the tree and does nut
mind 10 pick up the juicy fruit from TIA" ground
The ripe fruits are sometimes used In the max
ing OF Il beer, simmon beer which is SAID 10
he not bdd'. while the fcrmrnted fruit iur-
nishes brandy that improves with age. me
wood is found very useful for shoe lasts inh-
let's and volns. and is regarded rs an equal 10
ash beech and nearly coming up IL hickory.
posed to be salubrious against intermittent
fcVerS