THE CHERRIES OF NEW YORK 37 



by the fact that now a considerable number of varieties of the species 

 are under cultivation and there are more than a score of hybrids dis- 

 seminated in which it is one of the parents. Indians, trappers and 

 early settlers have long used the wild fruit under the name of Western 

 Sand Cherry, Bessey's Cherry and Rocky Mountain Cherry. Among 

 pioneers this cherry was held in high esteem for sauces, pies and preserves 

 and, where there was a dearth of cultivated cherries, was eaten with relish 

 out of hand. The flesh is tender, juicy and, while astringent as commonly 

 found, plants bearing aromatic and very palatable cherries are often found 

 growing wild while some of the domesticated plants bear very well-flavored 

 fruits. All speak of the Sand Cherry as wonderful in productiveness 

 and as having remarkable capacity to withstand the vicissitudes of the 

 exacting climate in which it grows. A valuable asset of Prunus besseyi 

 is its great variability. Fruit from different plants varies in size, color 

 and flavor suggesting that, under cultivation, amelioration will proceed 

 rapidly. The plants of this species root freely from layers or root-cuttings 

 and are therefore easily propagated and multiplied. 



But it is in its hybrids that this western cherry has proved most 

 valuable in horticulture. There are now hybrids under cultivation 

 between this species and the Sand plum (Prunus augustifolia watsoni), 

 the Hortulana plum {Prunus hortulana) , the Simonii plum {Prunus simonii), 

 the Japanese plum {Prunus triflora), the American plum {Prumis ameri- 

 cana), the Cherry plum {Primus cerasijera), the Sweet Cherry {Primus 

 avium), the peach {Prunus persica), the apricots {Primus armeniaca and 

 Primus mume), and the common plum {Prunus domestica). It would 

 almost seem that this species is the " go-between " of the many and 

 varied types of the genus Prunus. It is true that few of these hybrids 

 yet shine as orchard plants but, given time, it seems certain that some 

 will prove valuable in general horticiolture and that many will be grown 

 in the special horticulture of the northern Mississippi Valley and the adjoin- 

 ing plains to the west. Credit must be given to Professor N. E. Hansen 

 of the South Dakota Experiment Station for most of our present knowl- 

 edge of hybridism between this and other species.^ 



In his work with this species Hansen has also found that Prunus besseyi 

 makes a very good stock for peaches, apricots, Japanese and native plums 

 and that, while it does not so readily consort with the true cherries, yet 



'See bulletins 87 (1904), 88 (1904), 108 (1908) and 130 (1911) from the South Dakota Experiment 

 Station, Brookings, S. D. 



