ROSE FAMILY 



macerated and soaked in rum or brandv they give to the 

 liquor a peculiar and agreeable flavor, making what is known 

 as Cherrv Bounce. This flavor is due to a principle called 

 amygdalin, found also in laurel leaves, bitter almonds, peach 

 and plum stones, which under tiie action of a ferment breaks 

 up into grape sugar, oil of bitter almonds, and hvdrocvanic 

 or prussic acid. This active principle exists in very many of 

 the I^i?sdi\\r, notablv in Pruiius caroliiiiaiia, a southern ever- 

 green species which is extensivelv used in the south as a 

 hedge plant. It is there against the law to throw the prun- 

 ings of this plant into the street or where thev may be eaten 

 bv cattle. Ijirds in fact have been known to be overcome by 

 a too greedy consumption of black cherries. 



The bark of the Black Cherrv is bitter and aromatic and 

 held a large place among the home remedies of an earlier 

 generation. 



The flowers are small, closelv set by short stems in a sim- 

 ple raceme. Tlie ceiiti'al axis is erect or curved upward in 

 flowering, which begins at llie bottom ; afterward it bends 

 with the weight of the fruit. Only a small proportion of the 

 flowers prdduce fruit. 



The tree is large and sturdy with a spreading handsome 

 head, and may be easily knowui by its smooth, shining, red- 

 dish brown branches, for oulv the trunk becomes rough, and 

 in young trees that is smooth. The spray is slender and 

 pendulous. The smooth shining leaves are set alternately 

 and rather close together, and often in midsummer heat thev 

 assume the poise of the ash and at a distance when onlv part 

 of the tree can be seen it mav easily be mistaken for an ash. 



The lilack Ciierry grows very rapidl\-, often adding an inch 

 a year to its diameter. The wood is firm, close-grained, of a 

 light red, darkening with age. It takes a hue polish and 

 when perfectly seasoned will not slirink or warp, and is much 

 used in the manufacture of furniture. 



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