The Plums and Cherries. 263 



cabinet work. It is almost equal to mahogany, which it in some 

 degree resembles when darkened by age. . It grows readily from 

 the seed, which may be planted in the fall or early in the spring, 

 and they generally do best if started in the place where the tree is 

 to remain. The 1 ark, especially that of the roots, possess valuable 

 tonic and sedative qualities, and afford the basis of various remedies 

 sold in market. The leaves are also sometimes used in domestic 

 medicine. 



1041. This tree is found to be well adapted to prairie planting in 

 Illinois, Iowa, and other Western States. In a deep, rich soil, it 

 sometimes attains a great size. It is noticed that the fruit improves 

 in quality and size under cultivation, and it begins to bear at an 

 early age. 



1042. BIRD CHERRY (Prunus Pennsylvanica). This tree grows 

 to a small tree, but is short-lived, and its wood is too small and per- 

 ishable to be much value for any purpose but fuel. It is very apt 

 to spring up on land that has been burnt over; often intermingled 

 with poplars, and gradually giving place to larger and more hardy 

 kinds. The fruit grows in small clusters like the garden cherry. 

 The cherries are small, acid, and a favorite food of birds, through 

 whose agency the growth of this tree on a burnt district may be 

 probably ascribed. 



1043. THE CHOKE-CHERRY (Prunus Virginiana). This derives 

 its name from the astringent property of its fruit, which grows in 

 racimes like grapes or currents. This species grows in dense thick- 

 ets, and not of sufficient size to be of value for its wood. 



10-14. THE CAROLINA PLUM (Prunus Caroliniana). This is a highly 

 ornamental southern species, with evergreen foliage, and growing to 

 a height of from thirty to fifty feet. It has a very regular oval 

 head, and smooth branches. Its leaves are said to be very poison- 

 ous to cattle. It occurs on the coast and islands of the Caroliuas 

 and Georgia, and is well adapted for ornamental planting. 



1045. THE CHICASAW PLUM (Prunus Chicasa). This is a native 

 of the South-western States, but is extensively naturalized in the 

 South, and is sometimes cultivated in the North. The fruit is small, 

 and rather astringent, but runs into varieties, some of which are 

 much prized. It has been sometimes cultivated as a hedge-plant, 

 and is worthy of notice in tree-planting in the Western States. 



