THE LATE DUKE CHERRY. 



. 

 LATE DUKE. Pomological Magazine, vol. i. pi. 45. 



. CERISE ANGLAISE TARDIVE, Hort. Soc. Catalogue, 3d Ed. 1842. 



THE origin of this fine late cherry is unknown. It was received from 

 Paris, by the London Horticultural Society, and first produced fruit in 

 their garden about the year 1827 or 1828 ; subsequent to which it was 

 figured in the Pomological Magazine, above quoted. The authors of that 

 work state, that, though " this cherry is only known to us through 

 French gardeners, yet its name is evidence of its English origin;" 

 but, up to that time, they had not been able to find it in any other 

 collection than that of the society. 



Switzer and Hill, old writers of authority, (the same authors observe,) 

 mention a Late May Duke or Late Duke cherry, which has been sup- 

 posed to be the variety under notice ; but these names, though at that 

 period to be found in numerous catalogues, were applied to trees in jio 

 respect different from the original May Duke ; and, after a trial of all 

 the numerous varieties, collected from all sources, in the society's garden, 

 the name of the Late Duke was given to this cherry as being perfectly 

 appropriate. 



Lindley, in the Guide to the Orchard, in his description of the Late 

 Duke, observes that it has great affinity to the Arch Duke ; and Thomp- 

 son, in a Synopsis of all the varieties cultivated in the garden of the 

 society, published in the Transactions, (vol. viii. p. 248,) states that the 

 " Arch Duke may not be found to be different when obtained correct, 

 but that hitherto the May Duke had been received for it." Mr. Thomp- 

 son had not probably had an opportunity of seeing the Arch Duke, for 

 it is quite a different variety, and, when once seen in fruit, could not 

 be confounded with the Late Duke. In the last edition of the Catalogue 

 of the society, (1842,) it is made a distinct cherry. 



Every late cherry must prove a valuable acquisition to this fine fruit ; 

 of this character is the Late Duke. It is not only of very large size, of a 

 beautiful color, and an abundant bearer, but, in excellence, it is nearly or 

 quite equal to the May Duke, once the most popular sort. These 

 qualities, sufficient in themselves to render any variety valuable, are 

 greatly enhanced by the prolonged season which the Late Duke gives 

 to the cherry. 



All the cherries called Dukes have a peculiar upright or fastigiate 



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