128 FOREST TREES. 
particularly valuable until it has attained a consider- 
able size; nevertheless, it merits the attention of 
those who may plant for posterity. It should be 
thickly grown, and the thinnings will make good 
fuel. The fruit is produced abundantly while the 
trees are yet small, It ripens in August. When 
gathered for sowing, the seed must not be allowed to 
become dry, but should be mixed with sand and 
sown either in the fall or spring. 
2 Prunus Pennsylvanica— Wild Red Cherry. 
Leaves, oblong-lanceolate, pointed finely and sharp- 
ly serrate, shining, green and smooth both sides; 
flowers, many in a cluster, on long pedicels; fruit, 
round, light red. 
This species is common only in the most northern 
States of the Union, and in the Provinces of the 
Dominion. Its ordinary height does not exceed 
twenty or thirty feet. I have sometimes seen trees 
forty feet high and one foot in diameter, but such 
are very rare. The wood is of a light red color, and 
not inferior to that of the preceding species for cabi- 
net work; but is seldom used for that purpose, on 
account of its inferior size. 
In the countries where it is common, the Red 
Cherry springs up spontaneously wherever the land 
has been cleared or the forest ravaged by fire. The 
cultivated kinds of Cherry grow readily when budded 
or grafted on it. It is the only native species upon 
which they will succeed. 
