244 

 CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION, 



As the Cashew Nut is a native of tropical regions, it can only be grown 

 in those parts of Australia where the climate is congenial. Being a 

 handsome evergreen tree of moderate growth, it is worthy of cultivation 

 for ornamental purposes, independent of the value of its fruit. It will 

 thrive in any ordinary good soil, but prefers a rich sandy loam of moderate 

 depth. The trees for a year or two after planting will require some little 

 attention in pruning to make them shapely, but afterwards the only care 

 required is to keep the weeds down. Propagation is most usually effected 

 by seeds, which should be sown in spring or autumn, covering them about 

 two inches. Plants may also be readily obtained from cuttings of fairly 

 ripened wood of the current season's growth, with the leaves left on, 

 which will strike freely in sand under a ^ 



CHERRY. 



HISTORY. 



Botanically the Cherry is now known as Cerasus, but a few years 

 ago it was classed with the Prunus, or Plum family, from which, 

 however, it differs materially. It belongs to the extensive natural 

 order Rosaceee, or Rose family, which embraces many of our 

 cultivated fruits. The generic name is supposed to have originated 

 from Cerasus, a town in Armenia, from whence the Cherry was 

 introduced into Europe. The common or English name Cherry was 

 originally Cherise, taken from the French term Cerise, which had its 

 source in Cerasus. 



This favourite and useful summer fruit is supposed to have 

 originated in Asia Minor, and according to historical records, was 

 introduced into Europe by the Roman general Lucullus about seventy 

 years previous to the Christian era. Soon after its introduction to 

 Italy it became a very popular fruit with the Romans, and was 

 rapidly distributed through the European continent. Pliny mentions 

 eight kinds of Cherries as being known to the Romans in his time, 

 and he specially notices one variety that never appeared to be ripe, 

 having a hue between green, red, and black. The same writer 

 informs us that Cherries were carried to Britain before the Christian 

 era. He also tells us that " if Cherries are eaten (swallowing the 

 stones) from the tree while the dew is upon them in the morning it 

 is a good cure for gout in the feet." 



Though the Cherry is said to have been introduced to Britain by 

 the Romans at a very early date, yet, if so, it must have been lost 

 during the Saxon era, as it is not mentioned in the records of that 

 period. Some old writers inform us that Cherries were commonly 

 sold in the streets of London very early in the fifteenth century, 

 while others assert this fruit was re-introduced in the beginning of 

 Henry VIII. 's reign. According to the latter assertion, Cherry trees 



