88 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



40139 to 40201— Continued. 



Japan; introduced by Sargent to the United States in 1S02 and by 

 him sent to Kew in 1S!).">. The tree is interesting and very distinct 

 among cherries because of the conspicuous bracts on the inflorescence, 

 which remain until the fruit is ripe; but neither In (lower nor fruit 

 is it particularly attractive, as cherries go. For its autumn coloring 

 it may prove valuable, as it turns a brilliant scarlet both in Japan 

 and North America. It is very hardy." (\V. J. Bean, Trees and 

 Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, vol. 2, p. 2-' t 3.) 

 40190. Prunus serrulata sachalinensis (Schmidt) Makino. 

 (Prunus sargentii Rend.) 



"A deciduous tree, 40 to 80 feet high, with a trunk sometimes 

 8 feet in diameter; young shoots smooth. Leaves obovate to oval, 

 drawn out at the apex into a long, slender point; rounded; some- 

 times slightly heart shaped at the base, sharply toothed, 2 to 4 

 inches long, about half as wide; quite smooth on both surfaces, 

 often reddish when young; stalk smooth, one-half to 1 inch long, 

 with a pair of glands near the blade. Bracts red, oblong, one-half 

 inch long, edged with small glandular teeth. Flowers li to 1* inches 

 across, of a lovely deep blush color, produced two to six together 

 in short-stalked umbels, each flower with a stalk 1 to 1J inches 

 long; petals obovate, notched at the broad apex; calyx tubular, 

 with five ovate, pointed lobes one-fourth inch long, smooth and 

 entire; stamens deep rose. Fruit a small black cherry, one-third 

 inch wide. Native of Japan; introduced by Sargent to Kew in 

 1893. This splendid cherry, probably the finest of the true cherries 

 as a timber tree, is also one of the most beautiful in its blossom. 

 It flowers in April. In June, 1910. I saw the trees first introduced 

 to America in the Arnold Arboretum; they were then laden with 

 an extraordinary profusion of small black cherries. The seeds 

 germinate freely after lying dormant a year." ( W. •/. Hi nn, Trees 

 and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, vol. 2, p. 250.) 



"Prunus sargentii is a large, long-life tree of great vigor, perfectly 

 hardy here in New England and, for these reasons alone, ought 

 to be tried as stock for the flowering cherries of Japan, exclusive of 

 Prunus pendula, P. suhhirtclla, and their forms. 



" My studies in Japan have convinced me that the failure to 

 succeed with Japanese cherries in western lands is due to their 

 being worked on a stock which, though quick growing, is short 

 lived and not suited to the rigors of such a climate as that of New 

 England. I therefore turn to the Japanese species where vigor 

 and hardiness are proved, P. sargentii. 



" It has yet to be shown that the Japanese cherries will grow 

 on this particular stink, but such evidence as I have accumulated 

 is most encouraging, and I make bold to prophesy that fully 00 per 

 cent will be found to thrive on P. sargentii, but they must be 

 worked high enough to prevent them getting off on their own roots. 



"Prunus sargentii and its varieties are found scattered in woods 

 on the mountain sides throughout the length and breadth of Japan, 

 but are nowhere very abundant. The type is found from the Nikko 

 region northward. Both the type and Its forms are commonly 

 planted, and many fine avenues and groves occur in different parts 



