112 THE CHERRY. 



stones are taken out bj^ hand, and tlie plums are pressed 

 together in such a manner as to make them quite round. 

 They are afterwards packed into small wooden boxes, orna- 

 mented with cut paper, and form an important article of 

 revenue to the growers. 



The Damascene, or Damson, takes its name from Da- 

 mascus, where it grows in great quantities, and from whence 

 it was brought into Italy about 114 B.C. It is used prin- 

 cipally for preserves, and for making a kind of jelly called 

 " Damson cheese." 



Many kinds of plum were known to the Greeks and 

 Eomans ; and Gerard had in his garden at Holborn, in 

 1597, "three-score sorts, all strange and rare." 



For a fuller description of the garden-plums, I must refer 

 my readers to wox-ks treating on horticulture. 



THE CHEERY. 



(J^RASUS SYLVESTRIS. 



Cl^RASUS VULGARIS. 



Xatural Order— Eosaok.e. 



C/«SS— ICOSAXDRIA. O/Y^C/-— JIONOOYXIA. 



The subject of the present memoir affords another emi- 

 nent example, in addition to that recorded in the last 

 chapter, of the beneficence of the Almighty in permitting 

 man to control the course and operations of Nature, so as 

 to render them, in a measure, subservient to his gratification 

 and advantage. Human industry, we have seen, has con- 

 verted the Thorn into the fruitful Plum, and in the Cherry- 

 tree we have another instance scarcely less remarkable ; by 

 dint of careful perseverance, a juiceless unpalatable berry 

 becomes a delicious and nourishing fruit. The success 



