136 Appendix. 



The Oregon wild plum {Prunus subcordata) , of which there are two 

 or three varieties, was much valued in early times for its fruit to eat 

 green, for preserves, and jam. This plum for quality is about the same 

 as the native red plum of the Middle West, and has been improved by 

 selection and cultivation; was used formerly by nurserymen for stock 

 on which to graft the plum and prune. The tree grows to a height of 

 ten or fifteen feet. Another variety produces a round fruit nearly an 

 inch in diameter; another an oblong, resembling in shape, color, and 

 quality the Damson, and by those who use them preferred to that 

 variety. Of these something may be expected from hybridizing and 

 cultivation. 



We have two or more species of wild cherries; one, Cerasus demissa, 

 a shrub or small tree bearing a purplish black fruit, very much resem- 

 bling the choke cherry, though of much better quality and edible; is 

 used to some extent in marmalade; its roots have been usei as stock 

 to work improved varieties upon. The other, Cerasus molUsginata, 

 sometimes attains to the dignity of a tree one foot in diameter and 

 thirty to forty feet high, and bears a roundish, black cherry about 

 one-third of an inch in diameter, bitter and astringent. 



The Oregon elder {Sambuscus glauca) is a unique trea of unsur- 

 passed elegance and rare beauty on the lawn or in the forest; is of 

 vigorous growth, attaining two feet in diameter and thirty feet in 

 height, with a beautifully cut leaf of rich bluish green, decked with 

 showy sprays of creamy white flowers six to ten inches across, and in 

 the fall of the year gorgeously ari*ayed and heavily laden with purple 

 berries, interspersed with green fruit and blossoms, which continue to 

 bud and bloom from June to September, giving a succession of flowers, 

 green fruit, and ripe purple berries the entire season. The berry has a 

 pleasant sub-acid taste, and with a little sugar is palatable in pies, 

 stewed, or in preserves, and properly prepared makes an excellent wine, 

 for which it is now often used. Another variety of smaller growth 

 (Sambucus callicarpa) has a red berry, also edible. This variety is 

 not so widely distributed, and is only found along the coast and up the 

 streams inland. 



The grape {Vitis Calif ornica) is found in the southern part of the 

 State, and has been much used in other countries as a phyloxera re- 

 sistent stock, on which to work European varieties. This fruit is some- 

 thing like the fox grape of the East, and has been some improved by 

 selection and cultivation, and will doubtless be of value in the future. 



Oregon is a land rich in native berries, which were held in great 

 esteem by the Indians and early settlers, some of which are really fine 

 and yet much sought after and utilized, and form a considerable com- 

 merce in our towns and cities. 



The wild blackberry {Rnbus ursimis) is very abundant everywhere, 

 and takes possession of neglected fields, fence rows and burned districts. 

 The fruit is of good size, oblong, very sweet and juicy, and believed by 

 the children and good housewife to be for all purposes much superior to 



