DENDROLOGY. 215 



The ordinary height of the crab apple tree is 15 or 18 feet, 

 with a diameter of 5 or 6 inches ; but it is sometimes found 25 

 or 30 feet high, and 12 or 15 inches in diameter. The leaves 

 of this tree are oval, smooth on the upper surface, and when 

 fully developed, very distinctly toothed : some of them are 

 imperfectly trilobed. While young they have a bitter and 

 slightly aromatic taste. Like the common apple tree, this species 

 blooms very early in the spring. Its flowers are white, mingled 

 with rose color, and are collected in corymbs; they produce a 

 beautiful effect, and diffuse a delicious odor, by which, in the 

 glades where the tree is abundant, the air is perfumed at a great 

 distance. The apples, which are suspended by short peduncles, 

 are small, green, intensely acid, and very odoriferous. 



The wood of this tree is very compact, fine-grained and when 

 dry is excellent fuel. Some farmers make cider of the fruit of 

 this tree, which is said to be of a good quality : it also makes 

 very fine sweetmeats, by the addition of a large portion of sugar. 

 Successful experiments have been made of uniting this tree, by 

 grafting, with the European species ; but the time is so long in 

 bringing it to as high state of improvement that it cannot be done 

 to much advantage. Perhaps it might be profitably cultivated 

 for cider, but, aside from its utility in this way, it must be 

 regarded only as a tree highly agreeable for the beauty of its 

 flowers and for the sweetness of its perfume. 



