64 FRUIT GROWING FOR AMATEURS 



growths made the previous season ; consequently, it is essential 

 to keep the trees furnished with such growths. They should 

 be trained at 6 inches apart all over the tree ; superfluous 

 shoots and worn-out branches should be cut right out at their 

 base. 



Standard trees of both Morello and sweet Cherries are best 

 cut back fairly hard for two or three years ; subsequently, when 

 well-formed heads have been developed, little pruning is required 

 beyond a judicious annual thinning of the branches. Young 

 trees that grow with undue vigour should be carefully root pruned 

 in the autumn. 



The summer pruning of sweet Cherries is done early in July. 

 In the case of trees on walls and bushes in the open, cut back 

 the side growths to five leaves from their base, and just shorten 

 the leading shoots a little. Black fly frequently attacks Cherries, 

 and the trees should be syringed with quassia extract in May to 

 check this pest. It is often necessary to repeat the spraying to 

 ensure the foliage remaining clean and healthy. Do this in the 

 evening after the sun is off the trees, and syringe them well 

 with clear water the next morning. 



Trees bearing full crops need to be frequently watered in 

 hot weather, especially those growing against walls, and in most 

 gardens it is necessary to net them when the fruit is ripe for 

 protection against birds. 



Good Varieties. There are a number of good varieties, 

 and of these Early Rivers is one of the first to ripen ; the fruits 

 are black, sweet and tender, and are often ripe at the end of 

 June. Elton follows a little later ; the fruits are pale yellow 

 and freely produced. Governor Wood is a sweet and juicy 

 Cherry, ripe in July ; the fruits are yellow, mottled with red. 

 May Duke is a large red Cherry, ripe at the same time an 

 abundant bearer. Black Heart is a very popular variety, and 

 makes a good standard or bush. Bigarreau is a fine Cherry, 

 ripe late in July ; the fruits are red, and richly flavoured ; it is 

 a suitable Cherry for market purposes. Bigarreau Napoleon is 

 a large fruit, firm and juicy, and is a good variety for orchard 

 planting. Late Duke is a large red Cherry ; it ripens in the 

 middle of August. White Heart is a popular variety ; the fruits 

 are sweet and pleasantly flavoured. 



Of early varieties Black Tartarian is one of the best to grow 

 on a wall, where it is often ripe at the end of June. 



