ECONOMIC PLANTS WORTHY OF INTRODUCTION. 15 



fore a number of varieties and local races have developed. These 

 merit careful study. Some are found in the cretaceous and num- 

 multic rocks of Samaria ; others prefer the basaltic hills of Gaulani- 

 tis, etc. These wild almonds are plentiful enough to furnish an 

 article of commerce. The Bedouin women of Gaulanitis (Djolan) 

 gather the bitter almonds and carry them to the market at Damascus. 

 We get wild almonds from the region of Nablus (the ancient Shechem) 

 from which to grow stocks for our nurseries. They are excellent 

 stocks for almonds and for apricots on dry and nonirrigable lands. 



Amygdalus orientalis. — I believe that this species is also worthy 

 of being recommended, although I must admit that I have had no 

 personal experience with it. It is common on Mount Hermon, and 

 I know it to be one of our hardiest species. It thrives in crevices 

 of rocks looking toward the east, thus being exposed to the hot, dry 

 winds of the desert. It extends to altitudes of 3,300 to 5,000 feet 

 and is very resistant to the rigorous winters of these high regions. 

 It is therefore one of the best species to test as a stock for poor soil 

 in barren regions. It should prove valuable in Washington, Ore- 

 gon, and Colorado. 



Prunus microcarpa and Prunus ursina. — All that has been said 

 about Amygdalus orientalis applies also to P. microcardia and P. 

 ursina, which appear in the same localities and under the same con- 

 ditions. The fruits of Prunus microcarpa are slightly bitter but 

 very refreshing, and the writer has often enjoyed them when tired 

 out from long walks in this region. The seed has a thin shell which 

 is easily broken. 



Prunus ursina (bear plum) has a globular fruit, violet-red or yel- 

 low when ripe, an inch in diameter. It takes its name from the fact 

 that bears, said to be formerly numerous on Mount Hermon, but now 

 exceedingly scarce, are very fond of it. It is also eaten by the shep- 

 herds and by the wives of the peasants. It is a bush 6 to 10 feet in 

 height, with a trunk 4 inches to 1 foot in diameter. 



Prunus cerasia. — This shrub is very interesting on account of 

 its fruit, which is quite similar to the damson in taste and ap- 

 pearance. The seed, however, is longer and more pointed. The 

 fruit is oval and one-half inch to 1 inch in length. This shrub is 

 cultivated more for stock than for its fruit, which is astringent and 

 not very agreeable. It is possibly the prototype of the cultivated 

 damson. This seems the more probable from the fact that the word 

 " damson " is thought to have been derived from Damascus. 



Crataegus. — Among other species of Crataegus the most im- 

 portant is Crataegus azarolus with its numerous varieties and races. 

 This is a shrub of the calcareous hills and appears only on 

 very dry lands. If undisturbed it grows as high as 13 to 16 feet, but 

 its branches are generally hacked off for fuel by Arab women or 



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