214 WISCONSIN AGRICULTUKE. 



in the spring. It should be introduced into all ornamental 

 grounds and would doubtless withstand the rigors of our cli- 

 mate. It grows naturally in middle Illinois. 



3. Gleditschia monosptrma., the honey locust with pods bear- 

 ing only one seed, was found in southern Illinois by Michaux ; 

 but, later botanists have not been able to find it there. 



Order IV. Rosacea. — The Rose Family. 



This large family of plants includes not only the true Roses, 

 but, under its several subdivisions, the Plum, Cherry, and Spi- 

 r^a; the Geums, and Potentillas; the Strawberry, Blackberry, 

 and Easpberry ; and the Thorns, Apples, and Pears. Many of 

 the most valuable fruits peculiar to this latitude and climate be- 

 long to the Rosaceae. A large share of the species are herba- 

 ceous, or shrubs, and therefore do not fall under our notice, at 

 present. There are nine, mostly small trees, in Wisconsin, be- 

 longing to the family under consideration, — being one-sixth of 

 the whole number ; and the proportion of plants of this family 

 to the whole number of Wisconsin flowering plants, is as one to 

 twenty-five, 



10. Primus Americana, of Marshall. — The Wild Plum. 



This small tree, with its rich red or yellow fruit, grows very 

 plentifully in every part of the State, where there are low, damp, 

 rich grounds, especially along the margins of rivers and swamps. 

 The flowers appear in May, before the leaves are fully expanded, 

 and the fruit is ripe in August. The tree is much branched, 

 and beset with strong thorn-like stubs, forming a strong pro- 

 tection to the fruit, and causing much trouble in gathering it. 

 The wood is hard, of a dark reddish color, resembling the wild 

 cherry. If it could be obtained in sufficient quantity, it might 

 be substituted for that wood in cabinet-making, &c. 



The Wild Plum naturally runs into numerous varieties. Mr. 

 Nuttall counted no less than a dozen different kinds in one 

 orchard examined by him, in Canada. This natural tendency 

 shows that differences ol soil and culture have decided effects 



