u 



but obe iargfi timbef tree, with many very iiioportant fruits knS fruit treSSj 

 Bome of which like the apple and pear grow to a good size, but are cultivat- 

 ed exclusively for their fruit. 



CERAS0S SEROTINA. (WUd blaci: cherry.) 



This trete is a species of the ttibe cBrasus of the sub^brder wm^giaied (al- 

 mond family) in the order EosaceEe. Leaves are lanceolate-oblong, taper 

 pointed, serrate with incurved short and callous teeth, thickish shining 

 tibove — flowers are elongated racemes — friiit a globular drupe, without bloom; 

 stone almost globular, and smooth) purplish black when rip6, with a pleasant 

 vinous flavor. 



The bark is smooth, reddish brown on the young wood, with light spotSj 

 and epidermis revolute, and bursting at first in laminae, and afterwards be- 

 comes rough and dark colored ; and possesses strong tonic properties, and is 

 much in medical use. 



The tree is a rapid grower, on soil adapted to the white oak and sugar ma- 

 ple ; where it makes a stem 60 or 60 feet high, and often two feet or more 

 in diameter at the base, and with branches spreading irregularly. The wood 

 is often variegated, but generally brownish red, close grained and hard, ta- 

 king a good polish, and is in great demand for cabinet work, and when with- 

 out gum spots brings high prices. The seeds ripen in August and September, 

 and should be planted immediately, as they die upon drying. The tree is 

 considerably infested by the tent worms, that should be destroyed, as they 

 sometimes strip all the leaves from the tree, and from thence are transferred 

 to the imported cherry and apple trees. 



Black cherry timber is durable, and makes good fuel, and lasts well as sleep- 

 ers for railroad ties. On the whole the tree deserves cultivation ; and ex' 

 cept for the worms would be an excellent shade tree near the houses. 



LEGUMENOS^. (PWse family.) 

 ^his vast family of herbaceous plants, shi-ubs and B, few trees, *ith papillion=' 

 aceous flowers, producing a legume in fruit, contain more distinct tribes and 

 tepecies, than any othet- natural order of plants ; yet it has but three species 

 of trees worthy of mention as capable of Cultivation in Wisconsin. These 

 S,re the fohmia, ■gymnocladvA and gU^UacMd. 



ROBINIA. (Locust tree.) 

 This tree belongs to the loteas, or melitot tribe, a suborder in the natural 

 family of leguminosae, and to the galegese, a sub-ti'ibe, arid has three species, 

 the pseudacacia lAscosa and hispida. Flowers showy in hanging axillary race' 

 mes. Leaves odd-pinnate. It is named in honor of John RobiUj herbalist 

 to Henry IV of France, and his son VeSpasian Robin, who first cultivated 

 the locust tree in Europe. 



RoBiNiA pseCdaoaoia, (comhion locust, or false adaol'a,) has loose, slendef 

 racemes ; flowers, white and fragrant ; branches with spines, otherwise 

 smooth. 



RoBiNiA vioosA, (clammy locust,) has clammy branchlets ; flowers crowded 

 in the racemes, tinged with rose-color, and nearly inordorous. 



RoBiNiA HISPIDA) (bristly rose-acacia,) has very large and handsome rose* 

 eolored flowers, but is a mere Ornamental shrub in the gardens. 



