42 THE WILD CHERRY. 



been dropt by birds. Its appearance in 

 fpring, when covered with white blofloms, is 

 very beautiful : hence it makes a pleating 

 ornament in parks and pleafure-grounds, 

 and forms an agreeable variety among other 

 tall trees, few of which make any (how 

 with their flowers. It thrives well in light 

 poor land, andparticularly loves a fandy 

 foil and elevated fituation. The fruit, 

 though fmall, is pleafant to the talle, and 

 gives a fine flavour to fpirits. 1 he wood 

 is hard and tough :' it is much valued for 

 hoops of cafks ; and is alfo ufed by the 

 turner and cabinet-maker, and is ftainect 

 fo as to rcfemble mahogany. It makes ex- 

 cellent Pocks for engrafting the garden 

 cherries upon ; being, indeed, the original 

 of all the cultivated forts. The gum 

 which exudes from it is equal in its proper- 

 ties to gum-arabic. 



THE 



