THE CHERRIES OF NEW YORK IO5 



BLACK HAWK 



Prunus avium 



I. Horticulturist 6:360, 361 fig. 1851. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 45, 235. 1854. 3. EUiott Fr. Book 

 190 fig. 1854. 4. Hooper W. Fr. Book 258, 270, 271. 1857. S- U. S. D. A. Rpt. 382. 1875. 

 Epervier Noir. 6. Mas Pom. Gen. 11:41, 42, fig. 21. 1882. 



Despite the fact that Black Hawk was lauded by the horticulturists 

 in the middle of the last century as one of the best of all black Sweet 

 Cherries, it is now almost unknown. According to the older pomologists 

 it was unsurpassed for eating out of hand but was only mediocre in all other 

 characters of either fruit or tree. In particular it was surpassed in many 

 ways by the better-known Eagle which fills about the same place in cherry 

 culture. The variety was very popular in southern Ohio about Cincinnati 

 where many trees may still be found and where it is still more or less planted. 

 Possibly because of the excellent quality of the fruit, the amateur might 

 well try a tree or two. The description is compiled. 



Black Hawk originated with Professor J. P. Kirtland of Cleveland, 

 Ohio, sometime previous to 1845. It is one of the best of the many seed- 

 lings fniited by him. The American Pomological Society in 1854 named 

 this sort as one of the promising new fruits and it still remains on the fruit- 

 list of this organization. 



Tree large, vigorous, spreading, round-topped, resembling Yellow Spanish in habit, 

 productive, healthy; branches stout, smooth, dark reddish-brown, straight; branchlets 

 slender, with short intemodes. 



Leaves large, folded upward, obovate, rather thick; upper surface dark green; lower 

 surface pale green; apex abruptly pointed; margin coarsely and deeply serrate; petiole 

 short, stout, bright red, with two or more orange-red, reniform glands. 



Buds of medium size, rather short, free; flowers small or medium in size; pedicels 

 long, very slender; calyx-lobes straight, finely serrate, obtuse; petals roundish, broadly 

 and deeply notched at the tip. 



Fruit matures about the middle of June, a few days later than Black Tartarian; 

 medium to large, obtuse-cordate, surface uneven, sides compressed; cavity deep, broad, 

 abrupt, nearly regvilar; color glossy, dark purplish-black changing to almost black at com- 

 plete maturity; stem usually thick but often variable, of medium length; skin thick, 

 adhering to the piolp; flesh purplish-black, tender, with abundant colored juice, aromatic, 

 well flavored, sweet; of very good quality; stone of medium size, with uneven surfaces. 



BLACK HEART 



Prunus avium 



I. Rea Flora 205. 1676. 2. Prince Pom. Man. 2:115. 1832. 3. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 169 fig. 

 1845. 4. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 195. 1854. 5, Thompson Card. Ass't 526. 1859. 6. Am. Pom. Soc. 

 Cat. 74. 1862. 



