326 



SYSTEM A Tir roMOLOdY 



Section II. Flesh Soft (Hearts) 

 Group .V. Light -colored Hearts 



504. Elton (P'ig. 152) is distinguished by 

 the form, color, flesh, and flavor of its fruit. 

 The cherries are oblonp:-heart-shaped ; the 

 color is dark red, mottled with amber, very 

 bright, clear, and glossy ; the flavor is pecul- 

 iarly rich and luscious. The trees may be 

 recognized readily by the unusually dark 

 red color of the petioles of the leaves. Brown- 

 rot, the scourge of the sweet cherry, attacks 

 this variety more aggressively than almost 

 any other sort and for this reason Elton 

 must remain a varietj^ for the home orchard. 

 This is a cherry from Thomas Andrew 

 Knight, who fruited it first about 1806. It 

 was brought to America in 1823. 



Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open- 

 topped, very productive. Fruit early; about 1 inch 

 long, % inch wide, cordate, 

 conical, somcAvhat compressed 

 and oblique; cavity abrupt, 

 regular ; suture indistinct ; 

 apex distinctly pointed; color 

 dark red with an amber tinge, 

 numerous, small, light yellow, 

 1% inches long, skin thin, ten- 

 der, separating from the pulp, flesh white with a tinge 

 of yellow, with colorless juice, slightly stringy, tender, 

 very mild, sweet ; of good quality ; stone free, long- 

 ovate, flattened, with smooth surfaces. 



505. Ida (Fig. 153) is a general favorite in 

 home orchards. It can never take a high 

 place among commercial kinds, because the 

 cherries are too soft to handle well, show 

 bruises plainly, are susceptible to brown-rot, 

 and come when good cherries are plentiful. 

 The trees are vigorous and hardy, and bear fig. 153. Ida. 



Fig. 152. Elton. 



faintly mottled; dots 

 obscure; stem slender. 



