CHERRIES. CLASS I. 233 



French. The trees of this class are generally of lower 

 growth than those of the first class ; of more compact 

 form ; the branches more slender and numerous ; the 

 leaves are of less size, of firmer consistence, of a dark 

 green color ; the flowers of less size, but more open ; the 

 fruit is round, tender, of a subacid or acid flavor. The 

 dry wood of this class, according to Bosc, weighs 47^- 

 pounds to the cubic foot. In addition to these, a few orna'- 

 mental varieties of four distinct species will be described. 



CLASS I. 



BIGARREAUS, HEART CHERRIES, &c. 



1. *KNIGHT'S EARLY BLACK. Hort. Trans. 

 Raised by Mr. Knight, from the Bigarreau and May 



Duke combined. The blossoms of this new variety are 

 produced in abundance, before those of any other sort ; 

 and while the May Duke, in the same aspect, is yet a 

 very unripe fruit, the Early Black Cherry has assumed 

 its rich, dark hue, and its flesh is then firm and juicy. 

 It resembles in its external appearance the Waterloo, 

 but the stalk is shorter. It is abundantly sweet, and, 

 though not very rich, of a pleasant flavor, and remarkably 

 early. A fruit of large size, obtusely heart-formed, and 

 ripe in June. 



2. *DAVENPORT'S EARLY BLACK. 



Very early and excellent. The tree is of compact and 

 fine form; the leaves large, light glossy green; it bears 

 early and abundantly. The fruit is large, at maturity 

 dark shining purple or black ; the flesh firm, sweet ; of a 

 pleasant subacid and fine flavor. One of the finest and 

 most productive early cherries known. A veVy popular 

 fruit, and highly valuable for the market. It ripens the 

 middle of June, and from eight to twelve days earlier than 

 the European May Duke. This fine new variety origina- 

 ted on the farm of Mr. Davenport, in Dorchester. 

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