The Fruit, If Ripe,
Will Presently Cleanse A Foul Wound, But Causes Pain.
The Fruit is rotten,
when ripe, and commonly contains four flat Kernels, call'd Stones,
which is the Seed.
'Tis said, the Cortex Peruvianus comes
from a Persimmon-Tree, that grows in New-Spain. I have try'd
the Drying of this Bark, to imitate it, which it does tolerably well,
and agrees therewith. It is binding enough to work the same Effect.
The Tree, in extraordinary Land, comes sometimes to two Foot Diameter,
though not often. There are two sorts of this Fruit; one ripe in Summer,
the other when the Frost visits us.
{Mulberry.}
We have three sorts of Mulberries, besides the different Bigness
of some Trees Fruit. The first is the common red Mulberry,
whose Fruit is the earliest we have, (except the Strawberries) and very sweet.
These Trees make a very fine Shade, to sit under in Summer-time.
They are found wild in great Quantities, wherever the Land is light and rich;
yet their Fruit is much better when they stand open. They are used
instead of Raisins and Currants, and make several pretty Kickshaws.
They yield a transparent Crimson Liquor, which would make good Wine;
but few Peoples Inclinations in this Country tend that way.
The others are a smooth-leav'd Mulberry, fit for the Silk-Worm.
One bears a white Fruit, which is common; the other bears a small black Berry,
very sweet. They would persuade me there, that the black Mulberry
with the Silk-Worm smooth Leaf, was a white Mulberry, and changed its Fruit.
The Wood hereof is very durable, and where the Indians cannot get Locust,
they make use of this to make their Bows. This Tree grows
extraordinary round and pleasant to the Eye.
The Hiccory, Walnut, Chinkapin and Chesnut, with their Fruits,
we have mention'd before.
{Hazle-Nut.}
The Hazle-Nut grows plentifully in some places of this Country;
especially, towards the Mountains; but ours are not so good
as the English Nuts, having a much thicker Shell (like all
the Fruits of America, that I ever met withal) which in Hardness
exceeds those of Europe.
{Black-Cherries.}
The Cherries of the Woods grow to be very large Trees. One sort,
which is rarely found, is red, and not much unlike the Cornel-Berry.
But the common Cherry grows high, and in Bunches, like English Currants,
but much larger. They are of a bitterish sweet Relish,
and are equally valuable with our small Black-Cherries,
for an Infusion in Spirits. They yield a crimson Liquor,
and are great Bearers.
{Rasberries.}
Our Rasberries are of a purple Colour, and agreeable Relish,
almost like the English; but I reckon them not quite so rich.
When once planted, 'tis hard to root them out. They run wild
all over the Country, and will bear the same Year you transplant them,
as I have found by Experience.
{Hurts.}
The Hurts, Huckle-Berries, or Blues of this Country, are four sorts,
which we are well acquainted withal; but more Species of this sort,
and all others, Time and Enquiry must discover.
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