Prunus — Flowering Cherry. 



251 



sparingly,' in our gardens, where they command universal 

 admiration. No people in the world take such interest in 

 cherry culture as do the Japanese. The bursting of the 

 cherry blossoms fills the souls of the people with delight, 

 for of all flowers these are by them esteemed the most 

 beautiful. They celebrate the occasion with great enthu- 



CHINESE DOUBLE-FLOWERINQ CHERRY. 



siasm, and give themselves up fully to the enjoyment of 

 the beauties of nature. Professor C. C. Georgesen, a 

 gentleman familiar with Japanese customs, and who had 

 been present and participated in these festivities on more 

 than one occasion, wrote some years ago in one of our 

 magazines as follows : 



" All classes of society, from the Emperor to the coolie, 



