268 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 



were also largely killed. This frost was sectional and many sour cherry trees in 

 surrounding districts gave a good crop. 



The following list will we trust serve a useful purpose in pointing out those varieties 

 best adapted to the maritime provinces. From our experience and observation sweet 

 cherries should be left off the list as profitable sorts for New Brunswick, Prince Edward 

 Island and many sections of Nova Scotia. 



Prunus avium and Primus cerasus are the two European species of cherries from 

 which probably all cultivated cherries have originated. Those which have sprung from 

 Prunus avium are known by their tall erect growth. The bark is glossy and of a 

 reddish brown colour. The flowers which are borne on lateral spurs generally in clusters 

 appear with the limp, gradually taper pointed leaves. The flesh of the fruit is soft or 

 firm according to the variety. The fruit is yellow, black or red ; spherical, heart shaped 

 or pointed and generally sweet. Those from Prunus cerasus generally termed the sour 

 cherries are low headed with spreading branches. The flowers, which appear before 

 the stiff", rather abruptly pointed light or gra3-ish green leaves are borne in clusters from 

 lateral buds. 



The following classification by Bailey will be found useful to fix different types of this 

 fruit in the mind. Owing to the number of new varieties being constantly introduced, 

 the distinctive lines dividing some of these groups are becoming less marked and 

 intermediate forms between the upright and spreading sorts are numerous. 



Prunus avium has four representatives in America : — 



I. — The Mazzards or inferior seedlings ; fruit of various shapes and colours ; 

 common along roadsides. In the middle Atlantic States, the Mazzard trees often attain 

 great age and size. 



II. — The Hearts or heart-shaped, soft, sweet cherries, light or dark, represented by 

 Governor Wood and Black Tartarian. 



III. — The bigarreaus or heart-shaped, firm-fleshed, sweet cherries like the varieties 

 Napoleon and Windsor, 



IV. — The Dukes ; light-coloured, somewhat acid flesh, such as May Duke and 

 Reine Hortense. 



From Prunus cerasus two classes have sprung : — 



I. — The Amarelles or light-coloured, sour cherries with colourless juice, represented 

 by Montmorency and Early Richmond. 



II. — The Morellos or dark-coloured, sour cherries with dark coloured juice like the 

 English Morello and Louis Philippe. 



The Mazzard and Mahaleb cherries are used almost entirely as stock for root 

 grafting. The Mahaleb also of European origin is thought to be hardier, but is smaller 

 and has a dwarfing tandency. It is better adapted to clay soils. 



The American wild Red or Bird cherry Prunus Pennsylvanicum is also used 

 for root grafting. It is exceptionally hardy and is valuable for this purpose. 



Of the Heart cherries the Governor Wood and Black Tartarian are the most 

 successful of those tested here. The former is light yellow shaded and marbled with 

 red. The fruit is nearly sweet, rather tender and of excellent quality. The fruit is 

 ripe soon after the first of July. The tree has fruited well here but after a few years 

 fruiting has died out. The Black Tartarian has very dark red or black fruit, with dark 

 purplish flesh, sweet and very juicy. The fruit is ripe early in July. This is certainly 

 one of the finest cherries which has fruited here, but it is not a heavy bearer, and has 

 seldom lived here more than five or six years. 



