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roots as possible. Do not expose the roots for any length of time to a 

 drying atmosphere, and remove any that are broken or bruised. Care 

 must also be taken not to plant too deeply ; if the upper roots are 

 just below the surface it will be sufficient. Trees when they attain 

 their full growth, require to stand not less than eighteen feet apart ; 

 but many growers prefer them worked 011 dwarfing stocks, and plant 

 closer. The Cherry is not a long-lived tree like the Apple, Pear, or 

 Orange, and will seldom last in this part of the world more than 

 twenty years, even under the most favourable conditions. 



The ground should be kept as t-k'uii as possible, as an undergrowth 

 of grass and weeds is injurious, and more especially in the spring* or 

 early summer, as it helps to exhaust the moisture in the soil. Clean 

 the ground with the scarifier or hoe in preferance to plouglftiig or 

 digging deeply, as the less the roots are disturbed the better. Before 

 the hot weather sets in, it will be advisable to mulch the trees as far 

 as their roots extend. Keep the trees in good heart if necessary by 

 the use of manure, and do not let them become stunted or sickly 

 through lack of proper nourishment. 



PRUNING AND TRAINING. 



The Cherry must be pruned with judgement, as it is somewhat 

 impatient of the knife. Young trees must have their branches 

 reduced in number and shortened back when necessary, to promote a 

 strong* woody growth and get the plants into the proper shape. 

 Mature trees require but little pruning as a rule merely the removal 

 of rank and misplaced shoots and shortening the branches when 

 necessary to preserve the compactness and symmetry of the trees. 

 The Cherry produces its fruit on small spurs of two, three, or more 

 years' growth. The necessity for winter pruning may be obviated to 

 a large extent by rubbing off superfluous shoots early in the summer. 

 Root pruning may be practised with advantage when trees are 

 making an OA r er- luxuriant growth of wood and producing but little 

 fruit. Cherry trees should invariably be trained with low heads, 

 as when grown in this way they suffer less from strong winds, 

 afford a better shade for the stems, the fruit can be gathered with 

 the least trouble, and the work of pruning more easily done. 



GATHERING AXD PACKING. 



Cherries must be gathered as soon as they are sufficiently ripe, 

 taking care to pick with the stalks attached, and not to injure the 

 buds,. The fruit should be picked when perfectly dry, and Tvhen 

 not heated by the sun. Boxes holding about ten pounds are the 

 most suitable packages as regards size, and these when sent long- 

 distances to market, snould be arranged in crates that will hold 

 twelve. The fruit should be closely, even I v. and neatly packed in 

 the boxes, so that when opened it will show to the best advantage. 

 Too frequently Cherries are merelv thrown into the cases, to the 



