128 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



culture, evou if they do take a little fruit, for tliej do far more good 

 tbaii liarm. 



There is another idea I have, and which comes from my own observa- 

 tion. I have two trees of the Russian mulberrj'. Their fruit commences 

 to ripen about the time that of the Black Tartarian cherry does. Just 

 as soon as they begin to ripen, and they fruit for about a month, the birds 

 will go there, these cherry birds — they will leave the cherries, as will the 

 other birds, and congregate around those trees. I think if we would 

 plant that Kussian mulberry along the roadsides, and even among our 

 cherry trees, it would be a great advantage. It would save all our fruit — 

 raspberries and blackberries and all. 



I am in favor of protecting the insect-eating birds, but the cedar birds, 

 so far as I know — well, I don't believe they ever destroy an insect if they 

 can find a cherry. I never saw one looking for an insect, but they are 

 always looking for cherries. When a bird is of no benefit I know of no 

 other way than to kill him. 



Q. How about the Windsor cherry? 



A. I have not tried it myself, but one of my neighbors had a few. It 

 is a good cherry and comes about as late as the Great Bigarreau. There 

 is another variety that ripens about the same time, which is worthless — 

 a large cherry and valuable, but the tree is not hardy. It is called Elk- 

 horn. The tree seems to be unhealthy. I think Windsor is a good cherry. 



Q. What is the objection to May Duke cherry, if any? 



A. I know of no objection to it in any way. I put that at the head of 

 the list for our lake shore country. Black Tartarian and some other 

 varieties, I put next. 



Q. What about the Montmorency? A. I don't know anything about 

 that. 



Q. At what age does May Duke commence to bear? 



A. elust as quick as it is large enough, and that is as soon as you want 

 anything to bear. It will commence to bear when it is three years Did 

 and that is soon enough. You take a tree that is very small and let 

 it over-bear, and you are getting fruit at the expense of the tree growth. 

 It will bear at three years, and that is soon enough. It should be set on 

 the Mahaleb stock. I wouldn't recommend any other stock. It dwarfs 

 the tree a little but it is all right. I have trees fifteen feet high. 



Q. Which sell best, sweet or sour cherries? 



A. That depends on the size of the fruit somewhat. A large acid 

 cherry will alwaj'S sell well, if it has good color. 



Q. Why wouldn't Montmorenc}- sell — that is large — and the English 

 Morellos? A. English Morello is very acid, a good bearer, and a late 

 cherry, but it makes a very slow growth with me. 



Q. If the fruit was picked off and it was not allowed to bear, would it 

 not grow better, and attain size in four or five years? Then wouldn't it 

 be as profitable? 



A. The only advantage of English Morello is that it is late. It is a 

 good bearer, but in the room of that tree I would take Belle Magnifique. 

 It is a better grower, it is a red cherry and an acid one, though not so 

 much used as Morello or Richmond. It is a good, acid cherry, and still a 

 good eating cherry when ripe. 



