378 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



which is to me about as insipid as a piece of chalk. Catalogues and 

 nurserymen will give full information in regard to them if one wishes 

 to buy trees. If budding or grafting for one's own use, scions can be 

 taken from such varieties as have been tried and proved good. 



The beautiful form and the flowers of the cherry make it a desira- 

 ble ornamental tree near the house, and I would advise every farmer 

 to have a few. Have enough to furnish frnit for family use and a sur- 

 plus for the birds. They are particularly fond of all but the very sour 

 varieties, and will be apt to rob a single tree, so that its owner can get 

 but little well-ripened fruit from it. 



But the service they do in destroying insects in the orchard and 

 garden is well worth the trouble of setting a few fruit trees for them. 



The cherry tree usually does better in a northern exposure than 

 upon the south side of a hill or building. — A.mes, in American Cultiva- 

 tor. 



HOW TO GROW CHERRIES. 



Cherries thrive in a variety of soils, but attain their highest de- 

 velopment in one that is light and loamy. It must retain considerable 

 moisture, but never be sour. If the land is too wet it must be drained, 

 and on light, dry knolls, otherwise favorable to cherry culture, the 

 moisture-holding capacity of the soil may be increased by the addition 

 of vegetable matter and judicious surface cultivation. The turning^ 

 under of crimson clover or a crop of similar character is highly bene-^ 

 ficial. 



The best results are obtained from orchards situated on a western 

 or northwestern slope, as the blooming period is retarded in spring and 

 the danger of frosts greatly lessened. A depression is not desirable, 

 as frost is liable to occur there when it would not on higher ground. 

 Where the country is naturally level, a slight elevation is preferable, 

 since it assures air drainage and good circulation. The sour varieties 

 of cherries seem to thrive better on lower levels than the sweet kinds. 



The distance apart for planting trees will depend almost wholly 

 upon the manner of growth. Some trees may attain a heighth of 40 

 to 50 feet and be wide-spreading. These should stand not less than 30 

 feet apart. In western New York the sour varieties with small heads 

 are set 12x12 or 18x18. For instance, the Montmorency and Early 

 Richmond are usually planted 18x18, while the more bushy and com- 

 pact Morellos are planted 16x16. 



The highest success in cherry-growing cannot be attained without 

 thorough cultivation during the early life of the orchard, and also later 



