TREES GROWING IN DRY SOIL. 



267 



the bright foliage of the tree. Unfortunately it is not very 

 discriminating about its soil, but along the roadsides and in the 

 woods and glades the tree is a familiar character. Especially 

 towards the northern limit of its 

 range it forms a quantity of shrubby 

 growth by fences. Little boys and 

 wayfarers enjoy eating the fruit, and 

 in many farmhouses there is re- 

 served for especial occasions, in the 

 corner of some old cupboard, a bot- 

 tle of cherry bounce. 



As a timber tree it is one of the 

 most valuable of the American for- 

 est, but it is now becoming scarce. 

 It was at one time a most promi- 

 nent feature of the woodlands on 

 the slopes of the Alleghany moun- 

 tains. In texture its wood is firm 

 and durable with a satin-like sur- 

 face which receives a high polish. In cabinet work it is most 

 conspicuous. When first worked the wood is quite light, but 

 it becomes darker with time and exposure. There is none 

 that is better coloured. From the aromatic bark which con- 

 tains a bitter element a tonic is prepared, and it is reported to 

 possess considerable efficacy in the curing of pulmonary com- 

 plaints. From the vivid green inner layer the bark peels 

 readily. In the autumn the foliage turns to a bright, cheery 

 yellow. 



Primus serdtina. 



APPLE. {Plate CXL V) 



Malus Malus. 



FAMILY 

 Apple. 



SHAPE 



Round-topped, compact. 



HEIGHT 



15-35 /"'. 



RANGE 

 Introduced. 



TIME OF BLOOM 

 April, May. 



Bark: greyish. Leaves; simple; alternate; with woolly petioles; oval or 

 ovate; bluntly pointed or rounded at the apex and rounded or cordate at the 

 base; serrate, occasionally almost entire; bright green and nearly glabrous 



