ORNAMENTAL FRUITED TREES AND SHRUBS 93 



also a number of species of Gooseberry and Currant 

 (Ribes). The American Persimmon (Diospyros vir- 

 giniana) has orange-colored fruits which become 

 blackish purple when dead ripe. 



But if pure yellow and orange are rare colors among 

 fruits they are common in combination with red as in 

 plums, peaches, apricots, cherries, and other comes- 

 tible fruits. Of ornamental fruited trees and shrubs 

 having fruits red and yellow in varying degrees and 

 shades the most important are the Asiatic Crabapples. 

 However, as a later chapter is devoted to these beauti- 

 ful plants I refrain from entering into the subject 

 at this time beyond remarking that in fruit they are 

 highly ornamental and that the fruits persist on the 

 branches until spring. Birds are remarkably fond of 

 these fruits and every bird lover should contrive to 

 have a few of these plants in his (or her) garden or on 

 his (or her) estate. 



BLACK FRUITS 



This group in size ranks next to that of red fruits, 

 and in many of its members the fruits as they ripen 

 assume various shades of red before becoming finally 

 black. Among trees the Asiatic Corktrees (Phello- 

 dendron) bear annually a wealth of shining black 

 fruits. These are quick-growing medium-sized 



