1830 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Sweet cherries will come into bearing earlier on this stock than on Mazzard 

 because their growth is checked. The checking of growth, however, 

 prevents the normal development of the tree and frequently causes its 

 early death. Mahaleb stock is hardier than Mazzard, but the sweet 

 cherry cannot be grown successfully in localities that are too severe for 

 the latter stock. 



None of our cultivated cherries succeed on the wild chokecherry 

 (P. virginiana), which is common in the East. The wood does not unite 

 well, and, although the graft may make a good beginning, the result 

 is a gradual failure. 



Grafting 



The cherry may be top-worked by cleft grafting, but this operation 

 is not so simple as in the case of the apple. The outer bark of the cherry 

 is very tough and runs across the direction of growth instead of with it. 

 For grafting, the stock should be at least three fourths of an inch, and 

 preferably not more than two inches, in diameter. A smooth place 

 should be selected on the branch that is to be grafted, and the part be- 

 yond this should be sawed off squarely. A vertical cut through the outer 

 bark should be made on each side of this stub, and the grafting chisel 

 should be placed so that the split will be in line with the cuts in the bark. 

 This will prevent a ragged split, and will increase the possibility of success. 

 Two scions should be inserted in each limb. The exposed surface should 

 be covered with grafting wax so as to exclude air and surplus moisture. 

 Cherries should be grafted just before growth starts in the spring. 



CULTURAL PRINCIPLES 



Site 

 The cherry is liable to injury by late frosts in spring, and for this reason 

 it is advisable to choose a site that is elevated above the surrounding 

 land. The crest or the side of a hill should be chosen, if possible, for 

 such situations are less liable to frost than is a valley or a pocket. Loca- 

 tions near large bodies of water are especially desirable because of the 

 moderating influence of the water on the atmosphere of the surrounding 

 country. Sour cherries are better adapted to the lower elevations than 

 are sweet cherries. A well-elevated location lessens the liability of sweet 

 cherries to rot and to crack. 



Soil 



The best soil for the cherry is one that is rather light, such as a sandy 

 or gravelly loam. Almost any well-drained soil will be satisfactory if it 

 is not too heavy. Drainage is an important consideration, and its oper- 

 ation is especially essential to success in the growing of sweet cherries. 



