in Extra-Tropical Countries. 301 



P. Sibirica (Linne), and he considers P. dasycarpa (Ehrhart) to be a 

 hybrid between the apricot- and. plum-tree. A variety of apricot 

 occurs with a sweet kernel. Cold-pressed apricot-seeds yield an oil 

 much like that of almonds. Muspratt found as much as 24 per cent, 

 tannin in the bark. The Chinese P. Mume, Sieb. and Zucc., is a 

 peculiar apricot-tree. 



Prunus Caroliniana, Alton. 



South-Eastern States of North- America. Porcher regards it as one 

 of the most beautiful and manageable evergreens of the States. It 

 can be cut into any shape, and is much employed for quick and dense 

 hedges. It can be grown on coast-land. 



Prunus cerasifera, Ehrhart. (P. Myrobalanus, Desfontaines.) 



The Cherry-Plum tree. Countries at and near the Caspian Sea. 

 The fruits known also as Mirabelle-Plums, whence long ago the 

 objectionable designation Myrobalane-Plum arose. Among all kindred 

 species it is this one, which flowers earliest, indeed before the develop- 

 ment of its leaves, hence its claims for decorative horticulture. On this 

 and some other cultivated species see also Koch's Dendrologie, 1869. 



Prunus Cerasus, Linn<5. 



The Cherry-tree. Orient, especially in the countries near the 

 Caspian Sea. The name applies strictly only to the species, dis- 

 tinguished by never assuming large dimensions, by emitting suckers. 

 by smoothness of leaves and austerity and acidity of fruit. P. avium 

 (Linne), the sweet-fruited Cherry-tree, seems naturally to extend as 

 far as Middle Europe, and attains a high age, when the stem may 

 acquire a diameter of 4 feet, produces no suckers and has downy more 

 wrinkled leaves, irrespective of some few other discrepancies. It 

 afforded its fruit already to the ancient inhabitants of Switzerland in 

 pre-historic times (Heer, Mortillet), and the tree was cultivated by the 

 early Greeks also, according to historic records (A. de Candolle). It 

 is hardy in Norway to lat. 66 30' (Schuebeler). In the Himalayas 

 it is cultivated up to 12,000 feet. The tree enjoys everywhere a 

 remarkable immunity from insect-attacks. 



Prunus Chisasa, Michaux. (P. angustifolia, Marsh.) 



North-America, west of the Mississippi. On the prairies it is only 

 3 to 4 feet high. Fruit spherical, red, rather small, with a tender 

 usually agreeable pulp. Other species with edible fruit occur in 

 North- America, such as P. pumila and P. Pennsylvanica (Linn6), but 

 their fruits are too small, to render these plants of importance for 

 orchard-culture, though they also may become enlarged by rural 

 treatment. Marsh's name is the oldest. 



Prunus demissa, Walpers. 



California. The Wild Plum of Utah. Worthy of improving 

 cultivation. It fruits abundantly, often when only 2 or 3 feet high. 

 It is of near affinity to P. Virginiana. 



