780 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



pruning, the same treatment should be given as to the peach, since it is only by careful, 

 thorough pruning that it can be kept productive for a long time. The curculio or plum 

 weevil is the most troublesome of all insects in the growing of this fruit. 



Cherries. The cherry is a native of Asia, and from thence was disseminated through 

 all parts of Europe. It has been cultivated for fully two thousand years. It thrives well in 

 all sections of the country, except the extreme North and South, and even there a few of the 

 hardiest varieties may be grown. It furnishes an excellent shade, and is a very ornamental 

 tree. 



Mr. London gives the following account of the use made of cherry trees in Germany and 

 Switzerland. It is, indeed, a beautiful custom to be imitated by the government of any 

 country, that of planting fruit trees by the roadside for shade and refreshment to the 

 traveler: &quot;On the Continent, and more especially in Germany and Switzerland, the cherry 

 is much used as a roadside tree; particularly in the northern parts of Germany, where the 

 apple and pear will not thrive. In some countries the road passes for many miles 

 together through an avenue of cherry trees. In Moravia, the road from Brunn to Olmutz 

 passes through such an avenue, extending upwards of sixty miles in length; and in the 

 autumn we traveled for several days through almost one continuous avenue of cherry 

 trees, from Strasburgh by a circuitous route to Munich. These avenues, in Germany, are 

 planted by the desire of the respective governments, not only for shading the traveler, 

 but in order that the poor pedestrian may obtain refreshment on his journey. 



All persons are allowed to partake of the cherries, on condition of not injuring the 

 trees; but the main crop of the cherries, when ripe, is gathered by the respective proprietors 

 of the land on which it grows; and when these are anxious to preserve the fruit of any 

 particular tree, it is, as it were, tabooed ; that is, a wisp of straw is tied in a conspicuous part 

 to one of the branches. When the grapes are ripe in France, vines by the roadsides are 

 protected by sprinkling a plant here and there with a mixture of lime and water, which 

 marks the leaves with conspicuous white blotches. Every one who has traveled on the 

 Continent in the fruit season, must have observed the respect that is paid to these 

 appropriating marks; and there is something highly gratifying in this, and in the humane 

 feeling displayed by the princes of the countries in causing the trees to be planted. It would 

 indeed be lamentable if kind treatment did not produce a corresponding return.&quot; 



Varieties. The cherry embraces a large number of varieties, while new ones are 

 being frequently introduced. Among the best ones for general culture are the BELLE 

 D ORLEANS, BELLE DE CHOISY, BLACK TARTAREAN, ENGLISH MORELLO, EARLY PURPLE 

 GUIGNE, COE S TRANSPARENT, GOVERNOR WOOD, MAY DUKE, BLACK EARLE, EARLY 

 RICHMOND, NAPOLEON BIGAREAU, arid YELLOW SPANISH. Varieties bearing heart-shaped fruit 

 are the best for shade, and generally the most prolific. The Duke and Morello are the most 

 hardy for very cold climates. 



Cultivation, etc. The cherry requires a dry soil, and will not thrive well in one that 

 is saturated with moisture. It succeeds best in a good sandy or gravelly loam, although it 

 is a hardy tree, and will do well in a great variety of soils. It is propagated similar to the 

 plum, apricot, and peach and requires but little cultivation, and no pruning, except when it is 

 desired to remove a dead branch, or to prevent the branches from crowding. Pruning is apt 

 to cause the gum to exude, and this produces decay of the wood, hence pruning should be 

 avoided except when necessary. With young trees, pinching in of the branches in summer 

 for a few years is practiced by many fruit growers. The cherry is not generally a very long 

 lived tree, but in a favorable soil and climate it frequently lives from thirty to forty years. 

 Mulching for the first season after planting is to be highly recommended, while root pruning 

 in mature or old trees will frequently induce fruitfulness. Old trees may also be kept fruitful 

 and vigorous by a top-dressing of manure. 



