36 THE KANSAS CHERRY. 



for a market. Three years ago I shipped Early Richmond to Mem- 

 phis, some of which sold as high as $3.50 per crate. 



Of course there is big money in this, but I have not sold a cherry 

 since. Now, there may be some sheltered places in south Missouri 

 where the climatic changes are not so sudden, that cherries may be 

 grown with profit. To those living in such favored j)laces I would 

 say, i)lant cherries. But after thirteen years of experience and obser- 

 vation in the vicinity of Springfield, I would say it would be rather 

 hazardous to i^lant orchards of cherries for commercial purposes, un- 

 less we could have assurance that the climate and seasons would 

 change for the better. 



DISCUSSION. 



Major Holsinger. — I have several thousand cherries in bearing and have 

 made more money from the cherry than from any other fruit. I favor the Mont- 

 morency and if I had to forego any kind it would not be the Wragg. I think 

 the Wragg is better than the Early Richmond. For four kinds, I would take 

 Early Richmond, Montmorency, English Morello, and Wragg. These four make 

 fruit through the season. The Wragg I have were propagated in Alabama, but 

 is the same as the Iowa Wragg. My cherry trees planted in 1876 have paid well. 

 We are burning them this winter for firewood. The first acre of these cherry 

 trees I planted made $500 per acre each year it was in bearing. If the others 

 will last as long and pay as well I will be well pleased. Some of our cherry trees 

 die in full leaf. I do n't understand the cause. 



L. A. Goodman. — Of all the fruit I have grown at Westport the cherry has 

 paid me best. Ten or twelve dollars per tree per year is not an uncommon yield. 

 They should be planted in the proper soil and given the best cultivation for four 

 years ; after that time the tougher the grass sod the better. Not for sixteen 

 years has the grass been broken. The roots are sensitive to being broken. When 

 they are cut they begin to decay. The soil must be dry and not underlaid with 

 hard-pan. 



Question. — "What is the best stock for the cherry?" The discussion showed 

 the Mahaleb to be the stock in common use. Mr. Callaway, of Illinois, said the 

 common Morello was the best [stock]. Mr. Kiser saved his cherries by plant- 

 ing plenty of Russian mulberries for the birds; they much preferred the sweet 

 little berries to the sour cherries. His loss from birds was nothing in his cherry 

 orchard. 



Question.. — " Is clover a good crop for a cherry orchard four years old ? And 

 would you let it stand or cultivate alternate years ?" 



L. A. Goodman. — Clover is good. I would never cultivate after four years. 



J. M. Irvine. — At the last meeting of the Buchanan County Horticultural So- 

 ciety we discussed the cherry. It was said to be the most profitable fruit. Some 

 are growing Dyehouse instead of Early Richmond. It is sometimes earlier and 

 always as early as the Richmond. Montmorency, English Morello and Wragg 

 are also grown. 



J. E. May. — Is there any difference between the Large Montmorency and 

 Montmorency Ordinaire ? 



Major Holsinger. — None whatever. 



Mr. Baxter. — Mazzard stocks sometimes do better than those on Mahaleb 

 stocks. 



Mr. Buttereield. — The Mazzard sprouts. 



Mr. Baxter. — Morello is the best stock for the cherry. 



