274 



ARBORETUM ET FRUT1CETUM BR1TANNICUM. 



The apricot-like plum seems intermediate between the wild p'um and the 

 wild apricot. The varieties cultivated for their fruit have, in general, much 

 larger leaves, an4 stronger young shoots, than the other sorts; they flower 

 later, their blossoms are larger, and their fruit, particularly such sorts as the 

 magnum bonum and the diamond plum, several times as large; the latter being 

 upwards of 2| in. long. These fruit-bearing varieties are in universal culti- 

 vation in temperate climates ; and for every thing of interest relating to them, 

 as such, we refer to our Encyclopedia of Gardening, edit. 1835, p. 920. The 

 use of the fruit in domestic economy, in Britain, for the dessert, and for 

 making tarts and puddings, is well known. In France, plums are used prin- 

 cipally dried, as an article of commerce, and they are known under the name 

 of brignoles, prunes, and French plums. The different modes of preserving 

 plurns in France will be found detailed at length in the 1st edit, of this work, 

 and in our Suburban Horticulturist. 



4. P. (D.) MYROBA'LANA L. The Myrobalan, or Cherry, Plum. 



Identification. Lin. Sp., (180. ; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 533. ; Don's Mill., 2. p. 500. 



Synonymes. P. Myrobalan Du Ham. , P. myrobalana Lot's. ; P. cerasifera Ehrh. Beitr. 4. p. 17. ; 



Virginian Cherry ; Early Scarlet Plum ; Prunier myrobalan, or Cerisette, Fr. ; Kirschpflaume, 



Ger. 

 Engravings. Du Ham. Arb. Fr. 2. p. 111. t. 2. fig. 15. ; the plate of this tree in Arb. Brit., 1st edit., 



vol. v. ; and our fig. 440. 



440. Primus (d.) myroWIana. 



Spec. Char., fyc. Sepals narrow. Fruit globose, depressed at the base ; um- 

 bilicus depressed; nut with a small point. (Dec. Prod.) A low tree. 

 Europe, or, according to some, North America. Height 15ft. to 30ft. Cul- 

 tivated in gardens for an unknown period. Flowers white ; March and 

 April. Fruit cordate, red, rarely produced in England. 



/ T ariety. 



"t P. (d.) m. 2 fo/iis wtriegatu N. Du Ham. has variegated leaves. 



Though we consider this nothing more than a variety of the common plum, 

 yet it is so distinct, both in the habit of the tree and 'the colour of the fruit, 

 that we think it more convenient to keep it apart. Its flowers are produced 

 as early as those of the sloe ; and, the plant being more tender than that 

 species, it seldom produces fruit in England, except when the blossoms are 

 protected. It forms a good stock for varieties intended to be kept dwarf. In 

 India the fruit is sold to dye black. 



