EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 245 



like Bessarabian, differing mostly in habit of tree and flavor of fruit. Sea- 

 son, midsummer. 



Geoi'ge Glass. — A variety similar to and identical with Bessarabian. 

 Introduced from eastern Europe to Iowa by immigrants; it was discovered 

 in Marshall county. 



LUhaur Weichsel. — Fruit small and rather poor, round; suture distinct, 

 cavity deep; stalk long and slender; skin thick, dark purple, almost black; 

 flesh firm, reddish, juice colored; flavor acid and bitter, quality poor; pit 

 very small; tree strong and vigorous. Used only for culinary purposes; 

 season last of July. 



Sklanka. — Fruit large and handsome, color yellow with red cheek; flesh 

 firm, yellowish; flavor sub-acid, good; pit small and somewhat flat; tree 

 well formed, round topped, branches drooping, foliage good; a handsome 

 tree producing an abundance of excellent fruit. 



Brusseler Braune. — Fruit large, globular, slightly heart-shape, a little 

 inclined to be irregular and to vary in size; in color very dark red; flesh 

 firm, reddish, acid, and slightly bitter; stalk long, cavity deep; pits large 

 and flat; tree very vigorous and prolific, shoots ascending, foliage good; 

 season middle of July. One of the best of the Russian cherries. 



Osiheim. — Fruit about the size of the Richmond; heart-shape; dark 

 red or brownish black when ripe; skin thick; cavity deep, stalk long, 

 suture obscure; flesh firm, but tender, juicy; flavor mildly acid, very good; 

 pit large, somewhat flattened; trees vigorous and hardy, round topped, 

 resembling the Morello type; season 20th July to the end of July. One 

 of the best known of this class of cherries. 



Schatien Amarelle. — This cherry is almost identical with Brusseler 

 Braune. It is, perhaps, a little smaller, not quite so globular, and not so 

 dark in color, and is a few days earlier. But in flavor, appearance of tree 

 and foliage they are alike in every respect. Like the Brusseler Braune 

 it promises to be one of the best of this class of cherries. 



Lutovka. — In appearance the fruit of the Lutovka resembles the 

 Sklanka very much. The quality, however, is better, as it lacks the 

 astringency of the Sklanka; the season is later. The trees of the two 

 varieties resemble each other in shape, but L'utovka is a stronger grower, 

 with coarser shoots and foliage. 



SUMMARY. 



1. The introduction of Russian cherries into the United States dates 

 from 1882, when Prof. Budd of Iowa and Charles Gibb of Canada 

 imported a number of varieties from Russia. 



2. Russian cherries are recommended for those localities in Michigan 

 which are too cold for the common cherries. They are for these regions a 

 good substitute for common cherries. Since they ripen very late, they 

 may, for this reason, find favor with the general grower. 



3. The chief characteristics of the Russian cherries are: A dwarf, com- 

 pact habit of growth; small, narrow leaves, which are thick and finely 

 textured; and a deep purplish-red or reddish-black fruit; and a peculiar 

 astringent flavor which is often very pleasant; leaves and flowers appear 

 later and the fruit ripens later than those of the common cherries. 



4. The following varieties do best on the station grounds: Bessarabian, 

 very hardy and prolific; Brusseler Braune, fruit large, tree vigorous and 

 prolific; Ostheim, one of the best known of the Russian cherries. 



