CHERRIES. 177 



very productive, though in the richer soils it is 

 somewhat less so than in those more natural to it, 

 the sands. 



The fruit is borne on stems like the cultivated 

 varieties, grows frequently to the size of the Early 

 Richmond, and is nearly black. It is astringent 

 uncooked, but loses this generally when so treated. 



This is recommended for a stock upon which to 

 work some of the Russian varieties, and it may be 

 a success for this, as the buds take readily, but we 

 think the principal value of this very odd freak 

 will be recognized for its own fruit, which is suc- 

 ceptible of improvement to almost any degree. If 

 it is not improved beyond what it is now- which is 

 improbable it will still command the attention of 

 northwestern planters and nurserymen, as the fruit 

 in many cases is really good and brings a good 

 price in the market. It buds readily on our 

 native plums making a hardy, graceful weeping 

 tree that is very fruitful. 



Choke Cherry. Here is another fruit that should 

 not be neglected much longer. Like the foregoing 

 it is entirely hardy in the extreme north, but it is 

 more dwarfish in these higher latitudes. It is also 

 astringent, which is relieved by cooking. 



The tree grows to about 8 or 10 feet in height, 

 under favorable circumstances, but is more com- 

 monly found little more than half that. 



The fruit is borne in racemes, like the black 

 cherry, and can be grafted or budded upon it, but 

 probably not upon the sand cherry. It is light 



