VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



189 



choke cherry (wild chekry ). Prunus Virginiana Linn. 



The choke cherry is usually a shrub in Ver- 

 mont. It is, however, included in this list of trees 

 because of its close relationship to the other cher- 

 ries. It is very widely distributed in North Am- 

 erica, ranging from the Arctic circle to California 

 and Texas. In May, when the leaves are half 

 grown, it is covered with creamy white flowers in 

 long nodding clusters. The peculiarly astringent 

 fruit, varying greatly in quality, however, ripens 

 abundantly in August. It makes a good quality of 

 jelly. 



CHOKE CHERRY 



Leaves, flowers and 



fruit, X %. 



black cherry. Prunus serotina Ehrh. 



This is the only native Ver- 

 mont cherry which reaches a suffi- 

 cient size to make it a valuable 

 timber tree. It has been exported 

 in considerable quantities from the 

 southern part of the state, but now 

 large trees are seldom found. The 

 wood is of very superior quality for 

 cabinet making, and commands the 

 highest price of any native Ameri- 

 can timber. It has a beautiful 

 grain and takes a very fine polish. 

 The flowers resemble other cherry 

 blossoms and are borne in racemes. 

 The fruit is at first dark red, then 

 becomes almost black, with a thick 

 skin and dark juicy flesh, which is 

 generally rather bitter but some- 

 times sweet and pleasant. 



black cherry 



Leaves and fruit, X y z . 



PULSE FAMILY 



Most of the members of this family are easily recognized as such by 

 their irregular flowers of the pea-blossom type, by their fruit pod, similar to 

 that of the pea or bean, and by their compound leaves. 



All of them which are native plants are herbaceous. Many of the 

 species which grow further south are shrubs and trees. Several of the lat- 



