THE KANSAS CHERRY. 63 



cribed this to the "laziness of the average farmer, who hadn't energy 

 enough to fight oflp the birds that yearly ate the crop, and the trees 

 were permitted to die out, and were not replaced." There is much 

 truth in the statement. So long as farmers make no effort to circum- 

 vent the birds beyond the placing of a scarecrow or two in the or- 

 chards, just so long will the birds get the bulk of the cherry crop. One 

 of the finest cherry orchards we ever saw was effectually protected 

 from the ravages of birds in the following manner: The trees were 

 set in the usual way and at the ordinary distance apart, but around 

 the entire orchard was set a double row of trees of taller growing 

 cherries, and the fruit on these was freely given up to the birds. Not 

 a single cherry was ever picked from them except by the birds. 

 There was such an abundance that the birds rarely attacked the 

 fruit on the other or inside trees. After the first season they seemed 

 to realize that they were to have undisputed possession of this fruit. 

 The owner of this orchard claims that he has often observed the birds 

 flying over his cherry orchard, but alighting only on the outer rows, 

 the "birds' cherries." Occasionally he sees a few birds in the orchard 

 proper, but claims that repeated close observation reveals the fact 

 that they are seeking insects and not fruit. Other growers have tried 

 the plan on a smaller scale, and found that it worked to perfection. 



The best success with cherries is had in a soil fairly rich, but dry, or 

 one that can be easily drained. Cherry trees are subject to but few 

 diseases ; the black-knot, which is confined chiefly to the sweet va- 

 rieties [ ? V ], being the most troublesome. In the selection of vari- 

 eties the planting should be governed by the demands of the market, 

 bearing in mind that highly colored sweet varieties sell best, although 

 there is always a demand at fair prices for the sour sorts. — New York 

 Tribune. 



TWO POPULAR CHERRIES. 



Cherry growing is a prominent interest in western New York. 

 The two most profitable varieties are the Montmorency and the Eng- 

 lish Morello. It is a question which is the more popular of the two. 

 The canners give the Montmorency the preference. Both varieties 

 should be grown, as by the time the Montmorency is gone the Eng- 

 lish Morello is ready for market. The Early Richmond is not in 

 much favor, being small and of poor quality. The Ostheim is very 

 productive, but too small. 



A common mistake is made of planting trees too close together : 

 18x18 feet is the right distance. Five cents a quart is a fair price for 

 the fruit, and at this rate an orchard will net $100 to $175 a year per 

 acre. 



