80 PLUMS. 



AMERICAN CHERRY PLUM. PR. CAT, 



Cherry plum, or Mirobalan. Coxc. Loud. Hort. Cat. 



Myrobalan. Mil. 



Prunus myrulxilana, or Mijrolalan. Duh. 



Prunus ccrasifera. Elirh. Wild. Pursh. 



Early scarlet. Cerise. Prune Cerise. 



This is a distinct species, said to be a native of our country ; 

 but I am not certain that I have ever met with it in a wild 

 state, though I have seen a tree closely resembling it growing 

 in great numbers along some of the hedges in Maryland, and 

 which may possibly be the same kind. The tree does not at- 

 tain to so great a height as most other plums, but forms a 

 bushy spreading head at a few feet from the ground. Its 

 growth is vigorous, and it is particularly healthy and free from 

 the knots or excrescences which are formed on most other plum 

 trees by the attacks of insects. The leaves which are borne 

 on petioles, are smooth on both sides, and do not expand un- 

 til after the flowers, which bloom very early, and are white, 

 and so extremely numerous as to render the tree highly orna- 

 mental during that period. The fruit is of good size and 

 beautiful appearance, nearly globular, rather largest at the 

 base, and terminated at the extremity by a partial projection, 

 similar to a mamelon ; it is of a rather deep red colour, and 

 of pleasant taste when fully ripe, but not high flavoured; the 

 stone is oval and terminates in an acute point. This fruit 

 ripens about the middle of August. The tree bears well in 

 situations where the blossoms are uninjured by frost ; but as 

 they expand so very early they are apt to be injured in this 

 latitude, and the crops of fruit arc therefore but small. 



EUROPEAN CHERRY PLUM. PK. CAT. 



Prime Ccrixct. Ccrisc-tlc. N. Duh. 

 Cherry. Ccrizcltc. Mil. 



This fruit is nearly globular, a little oblong, of small or 

 medium size, and of a reddish colour ; the flesh is yellowish 

 , partially melting, ruthu sweet, but not high flavored 



