232 



THE EVOLUTION OF OUR NATIVE FRUITS 



Gillett, Southwick, Massachusetts, as an ornamental 

 plant. 



Prunus serotina, the wild black, or rum cherry, 

 the wood of which is often used for cabinet work and 

 house furnishing, is planted for forestry purposes, 

 as an ornamental tree, and sparingly for its fruit 



Fig. 37. Wild black cherry. Prunus serotina. One-third size. 



(Fig. 37). Infusions of the bark arc used for medi- 

 cinal purposes, and the frail is often employed in the 

 manufacture of cherry brandy, or ;is a flavor to rum. 

 Occasional trees bear fruit of unusual size and attrac- 

 tiveness, but it is doubtful if any sustained attempt 

 will ever be made to develop it into a frail plant. 

 As an ornamental plant, the wild black cherry ]><»»- 

 sesses decided merits iii its attractive habit, clean, shin- 

 ing foliage, striking white racemes and handsome 

 fruit. There are several cultivated varieties: pendula, 

 a weeping form, worked standard-high ; variegata, 



with leaves more or less discolored with vellow ; 



