Box 22, Folder 8: Trees of Wisconsin 1859, 1867

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-if carried out, would save us from many false theories and incorrect conclusions in regard to similar cases.

The small red fruit (about the size of a pea) ripens in July. The tree can be distinguished from the common wild cherry by the growth of the flowers and fruit, which is in clusters in the axils of the leaves, like the garden cherry. In both of the following species the flowers and fruit grow in racemes (like a bunch of grapes or currants), at the ends of the branches. Michaux describes this species under the name of Cerasus borealis, or the Red Cherry.

12. Prunus Virginiana, of Linnaeus.-Choke Cherry.

The Choke Cherry may be distinguished from the next species, by its much smaller growth; its broader, obovate, sharply serrated leaves; the short and close racemes; the lighter color of the fruit, etc. It would make a handsome ornament in our pleasure grounds on account of its bright shining foliage, and the numerous spikes of white flowers. It does not attain sufficient size to be of any use in the arts of life. The flowers appear in May, and the fruit ripens in July and August. It grows very abundantly throughout the State.

13. Prunus serotina, of Ehrhart.-Wild Black Cherry.

This species, too well known to need description here, is found very commonly in the timbered parts of the State, where the trees are cut into logs and used for cabinet work. For this purpose the wood of the Wild Cherry is a great favorite. It is almost equal to the imported mahogany, and is preferred to the black walnut, on account of its lighter and less somber appearance.

Z.

218. Wisconsin Agriculture.

The tree is also quite ornamental in its growth and appearance, and besides has the merit of attracting to it a constant throng of singing birds. A few trees should be preserved in the vicinity of every homestead in Wisconsin, if for no other purpose, for that of attracting the feathered songsters near our premises. Besides feeding on the wild cherries, they will destroy for us immense numbers of insects, and thus prevent their depredations.

The flowers appear in May, and the fruit ripens early in the summer. The figure shows the form and general character of the leaf and fruit, both of the natural size.

14. Crataegus coccinea, of Linnaeus.-Scarlet Fruited Thorn.

This thorn, of which there are many varieties, may be known from the other species by the large bright red globular fruit; or, in its younger state, by the leaves, which are roundish, ovate, thin, lobbed, sharply toothed, and abrupt or heart shaped at the base.-Some botanists have ranked the varieties as distinct species. It prefers rich bottom lands, but grows well in almost any kind of soil. It is the most abundant species of thorn in Wisconsin. The flowers appear early in May, and the fruit is ripe in September. It is a small tree, usually with a regular roundish head, making a very handsome appearance. The Scarlet Fruited Thorn has been recommended very strongly for hedges, and for screens to protect our houses, etc., from the cold of winter. For this last purpose they must be trained to grow into a sort of thin high hedge, the branches being twined together in one di-

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-rection and clipped off in the other. Transplant young trees of uniform size and set them about two feet apart. For hedges it is inferior to the next. The fruit is edible; and but for the smallness of size and the hard stony seeds, would be a useful article of food. It resists the action of the severest frosts-remaining sound after the extremely hard winter just past. The flowers emit a very strong and rather disagreeable odor when fully out, and the tree is then a very beautiful object. The figure shows the character of the leaf and fruit of the natural size.

15. Crataegus punctata, of Jacques.-Dotted Fruited Thorn.

This is usually smaller than the last, the fruit dull red, or yellowish, and dotted; the leaves will at once distinguish the species, being wedge shaped, and tapering below into a slender petiole. Like most of the thorns, it prefers to grow along the borders of rivers, etc., flowering in May and ripening its fruit in September.

This is the best native hedge plant we have. When properly treated and trimmed it forms a very dense hedge thro which even thievish boys would find it difficult to penetrate. It is quite desirable that experiments should be made to determine the value of the dotted fruited thorn in this respect. It is hardy, and may be relied upon as proof against winters. The figure on this page represents the form of the leaf and fruit of the natural size.

16. Pyrus coronaria, of Linnaeus.-Crab Tree.

This well known tree is quite common in Wisconsin, presenting its large, fragrant flowers in great profusion in May, and its rich fruit ripe in September. Were it not so common, it

220. Wisconsin Agriculture.

would be highly prized as an ornamental tree, on account of its beauty of form, fine foliage, large, rose like flowers, etc. A hedge made of it must be one of the finest kind; especially if trees at each angle, and at regular distances on the straight lines are allowed to grow and assume their beautiful rounded heads. It would be worth our whole to form such a hedge on account of the fragrance of the flowers in the spring. The fruit of the crab apple has been used for preserves, but it soon gives way to the cultivated apple. It has also been used to make cider, for which purpose it is said to be well adapted. The figure shows the outline of the fruit, and a section of the apple, both of the size of nature.

17. Pyrus Americana, of De Candole. American Mountain Ash.

This small, but very ornamental tree, grows abundantly in the northern parts of the State, and is occasionally found as far south as the latitude of Milwaukee, which is its extreme southern limit in that direction in Wisconsin. It is chiefly prized about our gardens and yards for its fine foliage, bright green twigs, large clusters of white flowers, and especially for brilliant bunches of scarlet fruit.

The flowers appear in June, and the fruit, which is ripe in September, remains on the tree during the winter.

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18. Amelanchier Canadensis, of Torrey & Gray.-June Berry.

This small tree is known by different names in different parts of the country. Some know it under the name of Service Berry, and some of our friends down east call it Shad-Bush, because its flowers appear simultaneously with the shad! Its abundant white flowers enliven the forests early in the spring, and its berries afford an agreeable repast for many of its feathered denizens. There are half a dozen different varieties, some of which have been ranked as species, but they are all now deemed only varieties of one species. I know of no useful purpose to which this small tree has been applied.

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Division II. Monopetalous.

Order V. Oleacae.-The Olive Family.

The Ash trees have been referred to as the same natural family as the Olive of the South, (Oliaceae), though they differ so much in their botanical characters from the type of family that many have doubted the propriety of the reference.

19. Fraxinus Americana, of Linnaeus.-White Ash.

The wood of the White Ash has the same general qualities of toughness, elasticity, and strength as the common Ash of Europe, which has been esteemed for these qualities since the remotest times. The following enumeration of some of the principal uses to which this wood is applied, will indicate its value in the arts. It is used for the tongues, and other parts of wagons, sled runners, handles for wheel barrows, scythes, rakes, hoes, pitch forks,