CHAPTER V.

DWARF CHERRY.

NATURAL FAMILY ROSACEA.

PRUNUS. SUB-GENUS, CERASUS.-THE CHERRY.

The Cherries, as a class, do not come within the pro posed scope of this work. But there is at least one native species that is worthy of being placed among the small fruits, and I have introduced it here for the purpose of calling the attention of our horticulturists to it, hoping that through their efforts a new, distinct, and valuable class of Cherries will be originated.

All of the varieties of the Cherry commonly cultivated, are of foreign origin, and the native species have so far resisted all attempts at improvement; as a general thing, there appears to be no affinity between those of the eastern and western continent. They will neither hybridize, nor the wood unite when worked one upon the other. Thus the door seems to be closed against the in termingling of the superior and the inferior, and progress only possible by raising seedlings of the native kinds without foreign aid.

There are, however, two indigenous species which appear to be nearly related to the foreign, at least sufficiently so, to

admit of being hybridized with it, as the flowers are very similar and the wood of the two unites very readily. One of these, Prunus Pennsylvanica, is a tall species, and docs not come within the scope of this work; but a dwarf one, P. pumila, described by Dr. Gray as follows:

"Smooth, depressed and trailing, six to eighteen inches high; leaves obovate-lanceolate, tapering to the base somewhat toothed near the apex, pale underneath; flow ers two to four together; fruit ovoid, dark red. Rocks of sandy banks; Massachusetts northward to Wisconsin, and south to Virginia along the mountains."

The above is merely a general description of the species, but it varies considerably in different locations and soils.

It is thirty-five years since I first became acquainted with this species while examining the wild fruits of Northern Michigan, and by referring to my diary of 1846, I find the following notes:

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August 3d, 1846. Thunder Bay Islands, Lake Huron. -Visited Hat Island, and found Dwarf Cherry, (Cerasus pumila,) very abundant. The plants growing on the beach in almost pure sand; bearing stems depressed with the weight of fruit; wonderfully productive.

Fruit one-half inch long, and three-eighths broad; dark purple, nearly black, sweet, but rather insipid. Suckers abundant from the underground stems or roots.”

At the time referred to above, I supposed this species was confined to the shores of the lakes, but have since learned that it is widely distributed over the Northern States. A few years ago, through the kindness of Prof. George Thurber, I received some Cherry seeds from Utah Territory, and from them raised plants which appear to be of the same species as the one described by Dr. Gray, as P. pumila, and also found by myself at Hat Island. There is, however, considerable difference in the growth of the plants; the one grown from the seeds obtained from Utah being more erect, none of the branches trailing

as in the species. This peculiarity of growth may not be different from the wild plants found in some localities.

I have some specimens now four years from seed. They are about three feet high; stem stocky, but the branches quite slender, cylindrical and smooth. The bark brown and shining on the small twigs, grayish when old. Fruit ovoid about a half-inch long, dark purple, nearly black, sweet, with little flavor. I do not consider this Cherry of any particular value as it is found in its normal condition; but if we could obtain an improved variety of a similar growth, and as hardy and productive, it would certainly be a great acquisition. There is no reason why this should not be accomplis ed, for, as I have said, it is nearly related to our cultivated varieties, and a hybrid can, and probably will be, produced between them.

The Prunus pumila should be selected for the parent to supply the seed, and the pollen, for fertilizing its flow. ers, taken from the other species. It blooms rather later than the Bigarreau, or Morello varieties, but can easily be hastened by planting in a warm situation or under glass.

To produce a hybrid between this Dwarf Cherry and the larger-growing kinds, requires no greater mechanical skill than to cross two varieties of the Strawberry; an operation which I have already described. The stamens and pistils in the flowers of the Cherry are large and conspicuous, and cross fertilization a very simple operation.

Here is an opportunity for the enterprising and skillful horticulturist to revolutionize Cherry culture, and he who first produces a fruit equal to the Great Bigarreau, or Early Richmond Cherry, and borne upon a shrub no larger than a Currant bush, will not only have his name handed down to posterity, but will be very likely to gather golden harvests for his labor.

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CHAPTER VI.

THE CURRANT.

NATURAL FAMILY GROSSULACER.

RIBES.-THE CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY.

[French name, Groseiller commun; German, Gemeine Johannisbeers; Dates Aalbesseboom; Italian, Ribes rosso; Spanish, Grussella.]

GENERAL CHARACTERS.

Low, deciduous shrubs, with smooth stems; leaves variable, more or less lobed, in some species nearly heart shaped; flowers small, greenish-yellow in the commonly cultivated varieties, in others yellow, crimson, or white.

SPECIES

Ribes prostratrum.-Fetid Currant.-Stems reclined leaves deeply heart-shaped, five to seven-lobed, smooth fruit pale red. In cold, damp woods in most of the North ern States.

Ribes floridum.-Wild Black Currant.-Leaves sprink led with resinous dots, slightly heart-shaped, three to five-lobed, doubly serrate; fruit round-ovoid, black, smooth, with a slight musky flavor; leaves also scented Common in low grounds throughout the Northern States and Canadas,

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Ribes rubrum..-Red Currant.-Stems straggling or reclined; leaves somewhat heart-shaped, obtusely three to five-lobed, downy beneath when young; racemes from lateral buds distinct from the leaf buds, drooping; calyx flat, greenish or purplish; fruit globose, smooth, red. In cold, damp woods and bogs from New England to Oregon. Native of Europe, and probably the same species as our common Red and White Currants of the gardens.

Ribes aureum.-Missouri Currant.-Stems very strong, erect, with light colored bark; leaves deeply and irregu iarly lobed, usually more or less toothed flowers yellow in clusters or short racemes; fruit large, globular, black, violet or deep yellow. Native of our Northwestern States and Territories.

Ribes sanguineum.-Red Flowering Currant.-Native of the Rocky Mountains and California. Cultivated for ornament. Fruit more or less insipid; not valuable as an edible fruit.

Ribes nigrum.-Black Currant.-Leaves three to fivelobed; racemes loose; flowers greenish-white; calyx often of a rich brownish color; berries globular, smooth, black; leaves and fruit strongly scented. Native of Northern Europe, even to the sub-Alpine regions of Siberia.

Many other species of Currants are known, but as we have no varieties of them cultivated for their fruit, I have not thought it advisable to describe them. Those species found in Mexico, Chili, Straits of Magellan, and other Southern countries, would probably not be hardy in the United States.

HISTORY.

The species of the Currant, from which our cultivated varieties originated, are probably native of Northern Eu rope, as we do not find them mentioned by any of the old Greek or Romar writers, who were generally so particu ar to name every fruit known in their day.