CHERRIES. 



keep the trees cultivated and in good growing con- 

 dition. Weeds and grass should not be allowed to 

 mat under them. A good tool to work the ground 

 in this or any other orchard is the disc harrow. It 

 keeps weeds down ; does not ridge up to the trees, 

 and keeps the ground loose and friable. 



On poor or moderately thin soils it will be well 

 to feed occasionally. To do this spread the surface 

 with fine stable manure, and leave it there. The 

 roots will find it all. Do not undertake to plow it 

 under. 



If your trees are on a piece of very good ground 

 they will not need this for many years if ever, and 

 if over fed there is danger of injury to the trees. 

 On the Missouri drift soils, and on the higher lands 

 the cherry will be productive for about twenty 

 years; but on the black soil on the Mississippi 

 slopes, about half that time is their average life. 



In making orchards of mixed fruits, where there 

 has been in some cases a failure on account of the 

 soil being clear sand, there has never been a failure 

 of the cherries especially, and the plums generally. 

 Both thrive well in the sandiest of lands. 



Varieties will be described first in their order 

 of value for all purposes. 



Early Richmond. Tree a rapid spreading grower, 

 forming a symmetrical, nearly round or slightly coni- 

 cal head, is a very early and prolific bearer; fruit a 

 light red, usually borne in pairs, is very juicy and 

 rich. The stem adheres so firmly to the pit 

 or stone that with care the fruit may all be gath- 



