562 Domestic Notices. 



Pacific, that the evergreen cherry of the south does to the Atlantic : we 

 allude to the C Caroliniana, or " Wild Peach," as it is called in the South- 

 western States, (owing to the strong peach-kernel odor, &c., — hence we 

 often hear of the "wild peach lands," to designate certain rich, light and 

 generous soils. In some sections it is hotter known as the " Mock Orange," 

 also " Cherry Laurel.") Both these species belong to the very natural sec- 

 tion of Laurocerasus, along with the family of the bitter almonds. This 

 subdivision of the genus Cerasus is distinguished by the racemes of flowers 

 springing from the axils or forks of the old persistent leaves of the growth 

 of the former season, as we see exemplified in the species before us. The 

 California evergreen cherry, like its allied species beyond the mountains, is 

 commonly a small tree, very much branched ; the leaves are large, on short 

 stems ; broad, roundish heart-shaped ; spinosely or prickly-toothed, veiny, 

 smooth and shining above, and of a rigid, leathery texture; margin wavy, 

 sub-folded, and bent back on its stem. The flowers are in dense racemes, 

 (like the black cherry,) about as long as the leaves, though when mature 

 they are two or three times as long. 



The fruit is by far the largest of any known indigenous variety ; speci- 

 mens are brought to our market one inch and an eighth in diameter, and 

 about one-eighth of pulp ; the form is oval and somewhat pointed, the point 

 turned to one side ; dark purple, or black ; the flavor a bitter-sweet, and 

 astringent — not very palatable to most persons. The Indians, however, 

 crush the fruit and make a kind of bread, of which they appear to be ex- 

 tremely fond ; it is called by the natives May. The stone of this fruit is 

 very large, and in some localities the pulp is meagre and rather dry. 



We invite the attention of our nurserymen and gardeners to this tree, as 

 one of great value to them. We need scarcely remark, that these seed 

 should have the preference for seedlings and stocks, for budding and graft- 

 ing the delicious foreign varieties. The fact of their being indigenous, and 

 the consequent certainty of perfect adaptation to our soil and climate, ought 

 sufficiently to recommend them. We have seen many failures in fruit 

 culture, from not properly appreciating the importance of suitable stocks ; 

 6. g. in some parts of the Southern States the large "sawyer" worm cuts 

 into the root and destroys the apple, when, if stocks of the wild crab are 

 grafted, no such casualty ever happens ; we have also seen them destroyed 

 in some soils by the roots shooting down upon clay and stagnant water or 

 moisture ; whereas the wild crab thrives htst in these very localities, shoot- 

 ing its roots horizontally, near the surface, and to great distances, thereby 

 also resisting the high winds of the rainy season that prostrate tlie culti- 

 vated kinds. (D. Kellogg, in the Pacific.) 



This is a most beautiful evergreen tree, and is elegantly figured in Nut- 

 tail's Sylva, supplementary to Michaux's. It is doubtful whetlier it would 

 be hardy enough for the latitude of Boston, though it deserves trial. South 

 of Philadelphia, it would be one of the most valuable trees that could be 

 introduced. As the seeds are easily procured in San Francisco, we hope 

 our nurserymen will add it to tlieir ccllectiois. — En. 



