WINTER MEETING. 273 



•direct. Even after the merits of a new variety have been thoroughly 

 investigated, and the evidence would seem to prove that it was super- 

 ior to the old varieties, it would still be unwise to at once discard the 

 old and stock up heavily with the new. What I have said of other 

 fruits in general, will apply to the cherry in particular. 



Of the host of varieties described in the catalogues, and most of 

 them in glowing colors, there are but a few that are worthy of a trial 

 by the fruit-grower or farmer. Some of these varieties that I have 

 designated as worthless may occasionally, under very favorable con- 

 ditions, bear a crop of tine fruit, but as fruit-growers are generally 

 practical business men who are striving for the highest degree of suc- 

 cess, they cannot afford to spend time and money pampering these 

 shy-bearing varieties. Who would think of planting the Heart and 

 Bigarreau cherries for home use or market here in Missouri when we 

 have such varieties as Early Eichmond, Montmorency and English 

 Morrello ! And yet, strange as it may seem, in this enlightened State, 

 flooded as it is with reliable information on all subjects pertaining to 

 agriculture and horticulture, many of our farmers are doing this very 

 thing or worse. They are willingly paying fancy prices for new varie- 

 ties of which they, and in some cases, no one else ever heard of, simply 

 because they are lecommended by unprincipled tree dealers. 



For market I would plant very sparingly outside of the three va- 

 rieties already referred to. Early Eichmond, or Early May, as it is 

 often called, is unquestionably the most popular cherry in the west. 

 It is very fruitful and, no doubt, brings growers more money than all 

 oiher kinds combined. Montmorency (Ordinare), though not as pop- 

 ular on account of not being so well known as Early Eichmond, is as 

 good a cherry in every respect, and in some respects superior. It is 

 a regular and heavy bearer. Fruit somewhat larger than Eichmond 

 and ripening about ten days later. The tree is an early bearer and a 

 fine symmetrical grower. The English Morrello is a good cherry, but 

 ripens so late that it is rather out of the cherry season and is therefor 

 diflBcult to market. It is an excellent cherry for home use, especially 

 for canning. Late Keutish is also a fairly profitable cherry. It opens 

 early 4n July, and is therefor not as late as English Morrello. It is 

 smaller than Early Eichmond and more tart. 



The soil of North Missouri is not the best for the cherry. It is too 

 heavy and the sub-soil is to cold and compact. The cherry delights in 

 a loose, deep, sandy soil. Failure is often due to unsuitable location. 

 Trees are frequntly planted on low or poorly-drained soils, and live for 

 years under favorable conditions of the weather and then die suddenly 

 H— 18. 



