402 



THE ORNAMENTAL CHERRIES OE JAPAN. 



too rank growth. One of the most beautiful forms to 

 select is that known as Primus (or Cerasiis) IVatL'i-L'ri, 

 which has large, double, rosy-red flowers. 



With regard to Primus Japonica there also appears to 

 be a good deal of confusion in the use of the name. 

 The single-flowered type is rare in cultivation. The or- 

 namental merits of these plants are too well known to 

 need description here, but a word may be said in regard 

 to their hardiness in Massachusetts. Many gardeners 

 class these plants as of precarious existence or only half 

 hardy, but opinion and experience vary much on the 

 question. When planted in cold or damp situations, the 

 branches and stems are very apt to be severelv killed 



back in winter ; but where the situation is not too ex- 

 posed and the soil is light and pretty dry, so that the 

 wood ripens well before frost, we have known plants to 

 stand for many years without showing any injury what- 

 ever either in bud or branch. 



The plants are often grafted, which gives them a bet- 

 ter shape ; but as they are generally not very long-lived, 

 we would recommend the amateur to have plants on 

 their own roots, in which case layers may be made and 

 new individuals obtained without any trouble and when- 

 ever desired. 



Arnold Arboretum. 



J. G. Jack. 



Fig. 5. Prunus Pseudo-Cerasus. 



SPECIES OF JAPANESE 



NOTES FROM A GA 



ALTHOUGH the Japanese cherries have been well 

 known in this country for a long time, their proper 

 botanical names appear to be unknown to nur- 

 serymen and cultivators. None of the books give the 

 proper names. There are two species in common cul- 

 tivation. 



I. Pkunus Pseudo-Cerasus, Lindley. (Figs, i to 5.) 

 In general aspect of foliage, this cherry bears some re- 

 semblance to the common sweet cherry {Prunus A'c'ium). 



FLOWERING CHERRIES. 



lEN HERBARIUM — V. 



P. Pseudo-Cerasus, however, has ovate-lanceolate or el- 

 liptic lanceolate leaves, while the sweet cherry has ob- 

 long-lanceolate obovate leaves. In the Japanese species 

 the teeth upon the leaves are very small and sharp, each 

 one ending in a callous point, while in the common gar- 

 den cherry the teeth are coarse and blunt. Fig. 6 is an 

 excellent representation of the dentation of the sweet 

 cherry leaf. These characters of leaf margins will al- 

 ways distinguish the two species at a glance, even in the 



