EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 299 



ihan that of Mersereaii. A very promising late variety, shoAving up 

 better than any other. 



Two yeai's ago several plants of the Himalaya blackberry were sent 

 here by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Two of them survived and 

 bore fruit this year. This variety was grown by Luther Burbank 

 from seeds sent him by a friend who got them from the Himalaya 

 mountains. It is a very rampant gi'ower, exceeding anything we have 

 on trial. Their growth is very spreading or trailing. For cultural 

 purposes it would have to be put on trellises. The fruit ripens very 

 late and is rather small and ill-shaped. The two vines were not alike, 

 one ripening about two weeks before the other. Both seemed very 

 hardy. Their flavor is very acid and they have a hard core. The 

 earlier one had the best fruit, aud its large leaves were of a light color. 

 It was also the thriftiest grower of the two. They. Avill undoubtedly 

 be of no value here but may be desirable where extreme hardiness 

 is desired. 



CHERRIES, 



Of all of the tree fruits the cherry is probably least grown in Mich- 

 igan. The sour kinds are practically the only ones gTOwn except by 

 a few specialists. Richmond and Montmorency are the principail va- 

 rieties grown. For a reliable, annual bearer, Montmorency is hard 

 to excel. The fruit is larger, firmer, and of better quality than the 

 Richmond and .it is very little subject to disease. In short, what the 

 Cuthbert is to the raspberries, the Bartlett to the peairs, and Con- 

 cord to the grapes, the Montmorency is to the cherries. 



The Dyehouse is worthy of favorable mention as an early cherry. 

 The tree is not quite as large as the Richmond but with us it has 

 proved more productive. Ripens several days before that variety. In 

 firmness it equals Richmond and in quality is perhaps a little better. 

 As an early cherry to precede the Richmond, it can be recommended. 



The Dukes can only be gTown for home use in this part of the 

 state. They generally ripen so unevenly and rot so easily when nearly 

 ripe that the expense of picking would be too great to allow anything 

 for profit. 



The Montrueil is the most prolific variety, but is quite subject to rot. 

 The fruit is of good size, color and quality, and undoubtedly it is 

 the most profitable Duke on trial. The Olivet is also a very good 

 variety, altho not quite as productive as the Montrueil. It ripens more 

 evenly and is less subject to rot. It is more vigorous and when grown 

 in a light soil where its growth is kept in check, it would undoubt- 

 edly equal the Montrueil in productiveness. The fruit is equally as 

 handsome and is good both for dessert purposes and for canning. Ex- 

 cept in productiveness, it is the best variety we have on trial. 



Magnifique is a good late cherry, ripening about the same time as 

 the English Morello. The fruit is yellow, nearly covered with red. It 

 is smaller than Montrueil and not as good in quality. The trees are 

 not very large but are quite prolific. A good variety for home use. 



