4 THE KANSAS CHERRY. 



fruit inedible, including the bastard cherry, bay-cherry or laurel- cherry 

 {P. lauro-cerasus) of Europe, and the Carolina laurel-cherry {P. 

 cai'olinana) of the southern United States. 



OxHEART. — A large variety of cherry, so called from its shape. 



MoRELLO. — A kind of cherry with a dark red skin, becoming nearly 

 black if allowed to hang long. The flesh is deep purplish red, tender, 

 juicy, and acid. It is a standard cherry, much used in cooking and 

 preserved in brandy. 



May Duke. — (A corrujDtion of Medoc, a district near Bordeaux. 

 France, from which these cherries were introduced.) A variety of 

 cherry of the sour type. 



THE CHERRY IN KANSAS. 



Our people have hardly come up to a full understanding of the 

 value of this fruit. Our markets are never one-quarter supplied and 

 the demand is increasing. Occasionally a horticulturist who for some 

 unaccountable rea.son put out few or many cherry trees is greatly sur- 

 jjrised when they come into bearing to find them a bonanza. Grow- 

 ers near our larger towns are enthusiastic over the nice returns. 

 Several of our growers claim a profit of $250 per acre from their cher- 

 ries. They are almost a sure crojD year by year. Coming early, the 

 first of the tree fruits, the trees have a long growing season in which 

 to recujDerate, and prepare material for a crop the following season. 

 While the crop of cherries varies in quantity yet there is almost never 

 a total failure. Heavy spring frosts are most to be feared. The cur- 

 culio, the aphis and birds aflPect them some, but still we have cherries, 

 and the young robins and other fledglings annually build up their 

 systems upon such choice delicacies as Richmond, Montmorency, etc. 

 For the aphis we should spray, for curculio jar, for the birds, bells, 

 stuffed cats, hawks, etc., are used; but we should plant more ; we can 

 grow so many in our soil and climate that the birds cannot increase 

 in proportion ; besides, after cherries are gone, and healthy bird ap- 

 petites remain, the insects are devoured next. Plant cherries ! We 

 have not yet found a sweet cherry that is sure here. Ostheim is good. 

 Governor Wood is uncertain. As the sour cherry tree grows low and 

 wide, we cannot do as the Europeans, plant cherry trees along the 

 roadside ; but our lands are cheap, and we might get a fine income 

 from many a waste acre if planted to cherries. They are as early to 

 market as berries, and sell as readily. No fruit is preferable for can- 

 ning, and cherry pie is the choicest of pies. 



