THE HAWTHORN 



THERE is much uncertainty among botanists in regard to the specific standing 

 of our various sorts of Thorn Apples or Hawthorns. Fortunately this uncer- 

 tainty does not prevent the public from enjoying the beauty of the delicate 

 blossoms in May, when the clusters of white flowers are revealed against the background 

 of the young leaves, the attractiveness of the clean green foliage during the weeks of 

 summer, or the striking display of the scarlet haws in autumn. Even in winter the closely 

 interlacing branches with their long decorative spines furnish a sight meriting careful 

 attention. 



On the inside of the blossom there is a large, greenish, saucer-like surface on which 

 nectar is secreted. This nectar, together with the delicate odor which advertises its 

 presence, serves to attract to the flowers a great variety of bees and other insects, which 

 bring about cross-pollination. 



As is well known, the European Hawthorn is a favorite shrub for hedges in England, 

 where its beauty has been repeatedly celebrated by the masters of English literature. 

 The native trees are occasionally used in America for hedges, but not to any considerable 

 extent. They are very desirable for this purpose, as well as for planting singly or in groups 

 for landscape adornment. They are commonly quite free from insect or fungus attack, 

 are hardy, and are attractive throughout the year. Hundreds of distinct species are now 

 recognized by botanists, but the extraordinary variability of the parts upon which claims 

 for specific distinction are usually based has led to considerable confusion in regard to the 

 precise limits of these various sorts. The pictures upon the plate represent a hitherto 

 unnamed species which has been called Cratazgus Irvingii by Professor Sargent in honor 

 of Arthur Irving Emerson, who discovered it. It belongs to the Pruinosae group of species, 

 and has five to ten stamens with rose-colored anthers, and bears red or orange-red fruits. 

 It is found in Massachusetts. 



It has been suggested that many of the species of Hawthorn will prove to be 

 natural hybrids of recent occurrence, but Professor Sargent finds no evidence for the 

 theory. The plants produce seed freely and the seedlings show no tendency to variation 



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