294 THE PLUM. 



forms us, that with him, it is less 

 liable to drop from the tree than any 

 other sort. 



Branches downy. Fruit rather 

 larger than a Green Gage, roundish, 

 oval, with an obscure suture. Skin, 

 when fully exposed, a lively red, but 

 usually a bright lilac, covered with 

 a thin bluish bloom ; and speckled 

 with numerous golden dots ; in the 

 shade it is pale fawn-coloured on 

 one side. Stalk half an inch long, 

 set in a shallow depression. Flesh 

 deep orange, not very juicy nor 

 rich, but with a very agreeable, 

 Fig. 118. Cruger's Scarlet. m i\d, sprightly flavour. It hangs 

 well after ripening. Last of August. 



50. CHERRY. Thomp. Coxe. 



Early Scarlet. 

 Myrpbolan. ") 



Virginian Cherry. / of European 

 De Virginie. f gardens. 



D'Amerique Rouge. I 



rique Rouge. J 

 Prunus Myrobolana. O. Duh. Lind. 

 Prunus Cerasifera. Pursh. 

 Miser Plum, ofHoffy. 



The Cherry Plum, or Early Scarlet, is a very distinct species. 

 It has been considered a native of this country, but we doubt 

 this, and think, with Pursh, that it is only found here in the 

 neighbourhood of houses. The tree grows pretty rapidly, forms 

 a small, bushy head, and is easily recognized by the slender- 

 ness of its branches, and the smallness of its leaves. It bears 

 the greatest profusion of snowy blossoms in the spring, which 

 from the early date at which they appear, are rather liable to 

 be cut off by frost. 



There are several varieties produced from seed, but that most 

 common here, is round, about an inch in diameter, of a lively 

 red, with very little bloom, and a very slender, short stem, set in 

 a narrow cavity. On the trees they resemble cherries, rather 

 than plums. The flesh is greenish, melting, soft, very juicy, 

 with a pleasant, lively, sub-acid flavour neither rich nor high 

 flavoured, and adheres closely to the stone. The stone is oval, 

 and pointed. It ripens about the middle of July, before most 

 other plums, and this, and its pretty appearance at the dessert, 

 are its chief merits. Branches smooth. 



The common cherry plum, or MYROBOLAN, of Europe, is 



