When These Roots Have Been Some Time Out Of The Ground,
They Become Hard, And Make Good Heads To The Canes, On Which
Several Pretty Figures May Be Cut.
There are several others of this kind,
not thoroughly discover'd.
{Palmeto.}
That Palmeto grows with us, which we call the dwarfish sort;
but the Palmeto-Tree I have not yet met withal in North-Carolina,
of which you have a Description elsewhere. We shall next treat
of the Spontaneous Fruits of this Country; and then proceed to those
that have been transplanted from Europe, and other Parts.
{Natural Vines.}
Among the natural Fruits, the Vine first takes place, of which
I find six sorts, very well known. {Bunch-Grapes.} The first
is the black Bunch-Grapes, which yield a Crimson Juice.
These grow common, and bear plentifully. They are of a good Relish,
though not large, yet well knit in the Clusters. They have a thickish Skin,
and large Stone, which makes them not yield much Juice.
There is another sort of Black-Grapes like the former, in all respects,
save that their Juice is of a light Flesh-Colour, inclining to a White.
I once saw a Spontaneous white Bunch-Grape in Carolina;
but the Cattle browzing on the Sprouts thereof in the Spring, it died.
{Fox-Grapes.} Of those which we call Fox-Grapes, we have four sorts;
two whereof are called Summer-Grapes, because ripe in July;
the other two Winter-Fruit, because not ripe till September or October.
The Summer Fox-Grapes grow not in Clusters, or great Bunches,
but are about five or six in a Bunch, about the Bigness of a Damson,
or larger. The black sort are frequent, the white not so commonly found.
They always grow in Swamps, and low moist Lands, running sometimes very high,
and being shady, and therefore proper for Arbours. They afford
the largest Leaf I ever saw, to my remembrance, the Back of which
is of a white Horse-flesh Colour. This Fruit always ripens in the Shade.
I have transplanted them into my Orchard, and find they thrive well,
if manured: A Neighbour of mine has done the same; mine were by Slips,
his from the Roots, which thrive to Admiration, and bear Fruit,
tho' not so juicy as the European Grape, but of a glutinous Nature.
However, it is pleasant enough to eat.
The other Winter Fox-Grapes, are much of the same Bigness.
These refuse no Ground, swampy or dry, but grow plentifully
on the Sand-Hills along the Sea-Coast, and elsewhere, and are great Bearers.
I have seen near twelve Bushels upon one Vine of the black sort.
Some of these, when thoroughly ripe, have a very pretty vinous Taste,
and eat very well, yet are glutinous. The white sort
are clear and transparent, and indifferent small Stones.
Being removed by the Slip or Root, they thrive well in our Gardens,
and make pleasant Shades.
{Persimmons.}
Persimmon is a Tree, that agrees with all Lands and Soils.
Their Fruit, when ripe, is nearest our Medlar; if eaten before,
draws your Mouth up like a Purse, being the greatest Astringent
I ever met withal, therefore very useful in some Cases.
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