244 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



have received the same care and cultivation. The trees are vigorous, 

 strong, and healthy; they first bore fruit in 1891, since which most of the 

 trees have borne every year. 



CHAKACTERISTICS OF RUSSIAN CHERRIES. 



There are now scattered through the country almost half a hundred named 

 varieties of Russian cherry. There are several groups of them, but the 

 distinctive lines a're not as yet well drawn; and as the intermediate forms 

 are numerous, a proper classification would be difficult and will not be 

 attempted. The aim will be to give only a few general characteristics of 

 the cherries and as accurate a description of the varieties as is possible. 



The nomenclature of the Russian cherries is badly confused. In Russia 

 different names are given to the same fruit in different localities, while the 

 same name may be given to different fruits growing in adjacent dis- 

 tricts. The names, though very formidable to an English-speaking person, 

 are quite simple and without any individuality, mostly expressing some 

 quality of the fruit, such as sweet, transparent, white, round, etc., and it is 

 not easy to convert them into good English names. Then again, seedlings 

 of like parentage resemble each other so much that it is difficult to distin- 

 guish between varieties. However, most of the names used in this 

 bulletin have now become pretty well fixed. 



The most distinct characteristics of the Russian cherries are their dwarf, 

 compact habit of growth; their small and narrow leaves which are thick 

 but finely textured; and, in general, a deep purplish-red or reddish-black 

 fruit of a peculiar bitter, yet often very pleasant, flavor. As grown by the 

 peasants in Russia the trees are generally of bush form, as they receive but 

 little care, seldom any cultivation, and are often grown in dense thickets. 

 Sometimes they are planted under other trees as our currants are. They 

 are usually grown from seed and in sod, though seedlings vary much from 

 the parent, so that the best trees are grown from sprouts. Grafting is 

 rarely practiced. Some of the trees are erect in growth though the weep- 

 ing form is usually considered better. With such careless cultivation, it 

 can easily be seen that, if profitable in Russia, with the comparatively care- 

 ful cultivation which we would give them they ought to prove profitable 

 for us. In the main the trees have the same characteristics here as in 

 Russia, except that the bush form is never grown. The trees are dwarf, 

 compact, and vigorous in growth. Leaves and flowers appear later, and 

 the fruit ripens later than with the common cherries. The fruit is borne 

 in small bunches and tends to remain for a long while on the trees, even 

 after ripening. ' 



The following are the more promising kinds that have been tested on 

 the station grounds: 



Bessarahian. — Fruit rather large, roundish, heart-shape, irregular; 

 borne in pairs, stalks long, slender; cavity deep, suture distinct; when 

 fully ripe, dark red in color; flavor acid, slightly astringent; pit medium 

 size, round; trees dwarf, shaped like May Duke; foliage good, leaves small, 

 coarsely serrate. One of the hardiest and most prolific of the Russian 

 cherries. 



Griotte du Nord. — Fruit medium size, round, slightly heart-shape; 

 borne in pairs, stalk long, slender; dark red in color; flesh firm, reddish, 

 flavor quite acid, slightly bitter; pit small, round; tree very hardy and 

 vigorous, quite dwarf and compact in habit and a slow grower. It is much 



