160 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY 



jointed, usually with many stems springing from the ground 

 which bear branches quite to the l)ase. Frequently these low- 

 growing branches bend to the ground and take root, forming new 

 plants. The bushes are thickly clothed with leaves densely 

 tomentose on the under side, — in this respect and in shape very 

 unlike the foliage of common cultivated cherries. The fruit 

 ripens in midscason, setting profusely from the many blossoms. 

 The cherries are a half-inch in diameter, bright currant-red, 

 covered with inconspicuous hairs, are pleasantly acid, and very 

 juicy. The tomentose cherry is a most promising plant for 

 domestication and has particular merit for small gardens. 



234. Prunus tomentosa described. — A botanical as w^ell as 

 a pomological description is needed to give a complete mental 

 picture. 



4. Prunus tomentosa, Thumb. (Plate XIII) A dwarf bush-like plant, 

 vigorous, hardy; trunk and branches stocky; branches smooth, grayish- 

 brown. Leaves numerous, 2% inches long, l^/^ inches wide, obovate, velvety; 

 upper surface dull, dark green, rugose; lower surface thickly pubescent, 

 with a prominent midrib and veins; margin serrate; petiole 3/16 inch 

 across. Flowers small; borne singly or in pairs; pedicels short, thick, 

 glabrous. Fruit l^ inch in diameter, round ; cavity deep, narrow, abrupt ; 

 suture shallow; apex depressed, with adherent stigma; color currant -red; 

 dots numerous, small, gray, obscure; stem i/4 inch in length; pubescent; 

 skin thick, tender, covered with light pubescence; flesh light red, with 

 light red juice, stringy, sprightly, sour; stone clinging, pointed, with 

 smooth surfaces. 



The Sand cherry. 



The sand cherry of eastern America is found on sandy inland 

 shores from Maine to the District of Columbia and northwest- 

 ward to the Lake of the Woods in Canada. It grows in light 

 sands, — a fact which suggests its use in arid regions and espe- 

 cially on poor soils in cold climates. As yet there seem to be 

 no named varieties of this cherry, since its nearly related spe- 

 cies, P. Besseyi, offers greater opportunities to the fruit-grower. 

 Both plants and fruits are so variable, the size, color and qual- 

 ity of the crop on some plants being quite attractive, that it is 

 certain that an opportunity is being overlooked to domesticate 

 a worthy native plant. The species ought to have value as a 

 stock on which to work other cherries for sandy soils, dwarf 

 trees, and exacting climates. Recently the sand cherry has been 



