VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



187 



A form of this species (var. canescens Britton) has been found at Fer- 

 risburg, which is densely whitish tomentose (hairy) on the lower leaf sur- 

 faces, and on the leaf and fruit stalks. 



THE PLUMS AND CHERRIES 



The plums and cherries, particularly when in blossom, are among the 

 most attractive trees in New England. They are all of small or medium 

 size with conspicuous pink or white flowers. They are distinguished by 

 their stone fruit and by their astringent bark and leaves. 



There are five species found in Vermont. One of these, the sand cherry, 

 is a small shrub usually nearly or quite prostrate and is found but rarely. 

 One of the other four, the choke cherry, seldom attains to the size or habit 

 of a tree, but it is deemed best to include it in this list since it occurs so 

 commonly along with the tree species that the omission might lead to 

 some confusion. 



Fruit red or yellow, flowers and fruit in short spreading clusters (umbel-like). 

 Fruit small, J^ inch or less in diameter, bright red, small slender tree, bark light 

 red-brown, leaves finely saw-toothed Wild Red Cherry 



Fruit large, % inch or more in diameter, red or yellow, small tree, branches spreading, 

 bark rough and dark gray, leaves coarsely saw-toothed Canada Plum 



Fruit black, flowers and fruit in long, slender clusters (racemes), bark grayish. 

 Shrub, fruit very astringent, leaves sharply saw-toothed Choke Cherry 



Large tree, bark rough and black, fruit slightly astringent, leaves 



with teeth incurved Black Cherry 



Cultivated species. — There are several species of plums and cherries in 

 cultivation. Those oftenest found in Vermont are the following : 



European or garden plum. Prunus domestica Linn. The common cul- 

 tivated plum, including the Damsons, ( the latter being var. Dam- 

 ascena). Tree strong, usually upright; leaves large, ovate or obovate, firm, 

 thick, rough, coarsely saw-toothed. 



Japanese plum. P. triflora Roxb. A more slender willowy tree, with 

 smoother, greener leaves, more finely cut-toothed. 



Sour cherry. P. Cerasus Linn. The commonest cultivated cherry in 

 Vermont. A comparatively small tree with smooth leaves ; fruit sour. 



Sweet cherry. P. Avium Linn. A larger, straighter growing tree, sel- 

 dom seen in Vermont ; leaves larger, dull and soft ; fruit usually sweet. 



