PART II 

 SOUR CHERRIES 



The cherry was introduced into this country by the early settlers who 

 brought it from Europe. 



It probably came from the two species of Europe, Prunus Avium 

 (Sweet cherry) and Prunus Cerasus (the Sour cherry). This part of the 

 paper will be devoted to the latter species, or sour cherry. 



There are a great many varieties of the Prunus Cerasus or Sour cherry 

 now grown in the United States and Canada. Many of the newer varieties 

 were produced by the planting of seed in the east and central states. 

 Within recent years, a large number have been imported from Russia, and 

 some of the older varieties came from Western Europe. 



In all branches of pomology there have been enthusiasts who have 

 been determined to develop varieties of fruit of one class that would be 

 more adapted to the varying conditions of their section. In the develop- 

 ment of the cherry, one of the foremost workers was the late D. B. Wier, 

 of Lacon, 111. He early recognized the fact that the need of the North- 

 west was new varieties, and so planned to improve the already known 

 sorts of the time by growing seedlings. In Mr. Wier's catalog dated 1897, 

 he says, 



" Twenty years ago I became greatly interested in cherries, and on 

 reading the subject up, I found that there were but two or three varieties 

 that could be depended upon to stand our winters here in the Northwestern 

 States and give regular crops and these had fruit very poor in quality. So 

 I determined to see if I could obtain new varieties from the seeds of our 

 hardiest sorts, that would prove superior to old varieties. I selected the 

 seed and grew thousands of seedlings." Of these numerous seedlings 

 produced but few are left to tell of the zealous work. 



Among a large number that have been discovered the best sorts now 

 in the trade are, the Northwest, or Wier's No. 29, Dan Wier, or No. n, 

 Wier Nos. 2 (Starr), 44 (Periam). The most promising are the first two 

 mentioned sorts which deserve recognition, (see description page 34). The 

 others in some localities may be superior to the standard sorts, such as 

 Early Richmond, Montmorency Ord., but in other sections maybe less 

 valuable. 



Russian varieties were brought from Europe under the idea that a 

 quality of hardiness would be introduced which was very much needed in 

 the cold Northwest. After a thorough test of the varieties imported, lead- 

 ing growers in the Northwest made the following report and it coincides 

 with results at the Iowa Experiment Station. 



