The iSmatl I'ruits. 181 



(c) The buffalo berry {Shepherdia argentea). 



(d) The goumi {Eleagniis longipes). 



(e) The huckleberry {Gai/lnssacia). 

 (£) The blueberry {Vaccininm). 



With, the exception of the goumi, these are all native 

 shrubs. None of them are as yet extensively cultivated, 

 and thej^ are of interest chiefly for their possibilities of im- 

 provement. With the exception of the last two species, 

 seedlings of these fruits may be grown as directed for the 

 plum (104), and the culture they require is similar to that 

 of the groselles (233-235). All are* hardy throughout the 

 United States and Southern Canada, except the goumi. 



280. The dwarf cherry. Several species of dwarf cherry 

 are native to the United States, but the onl}' one cultivated 

 to any extent is the so-called dwarf Rocky Mountaiu cherry, 

 {Primus Besseijii). This is a rather spreading, few-stemmed 

 shrub, commonly growing about four feet high. The fruit, 

 which is somewhat heart-shaped, is about three-fourths 

 inch in longest diameter. It is black when ripe, slightly 

 sweet, sometimes a little astriugent, and ripens in August 

 and September. The plants are very fruitful, and are orna- 

 mental while in flower, and also late in autumn, when the 

 willow-like leaves assume, a rich scarlet color. The plant 

 is decidedl}' variable under culture. 



281. Harmful parasites. The dwarf cherry is subject to 

 several fungous diseases. A mildew {Podosphcera oxijcanthce) 

 attacks the foliage in summer, giving it a whitish appear- 

 ance. Spraying the plants with Bordeaux mixture, or po- 

 tassium sulfide solution, would doubtless prevent it. A 

 disease similar to the leaf curl of the peach (123) also at- 

 tacks this plant, and the fruit-rot fungus (101) sometimes 

 •causes many of the fruits to decay as they are ripening. 



