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injury of the fruit, and causing it have a less attractive appearance 

 than would be the case with careful packing. 



PROPAGATION. 



Propagation is effected chiefly by budding, though grafting is 

 sometimes practised ; and trees may be raised from layers, suckers, 

 and seeds. Seedlings, as a matter of course, are uncertain in 

 character, and are seldom raised except for stocks. Budding may 

 be done at any time when the bark of the current season's growl!) 

 will separate freely from the wood, but as a rule the most favourable 

 period is soon after mid-summer. Grafting can be done just before 

 growth starts in the spring, but it does not offer such advantages 

 as budding. Stocks are often obtained from layers or suckers, but 

 these never make good trees, and therefore only seedlings should be 

 used. Seedlings of any strong variety may be used as stocks, but 

 those that have a tendency to throw up suckers freely should be 

 avoided. The stock most generally used in this part of the world 

 is the common Mazzard, which has given fair satisfaction. Cerasus 

 Padus, the Bird Cherry, is sometimes used as a stock, especially 

 for varieties belonging to the Duke class, for which it has proved 

 suitable. Morello and Mahaleb stocks are frequently used for 

 dwarfing trees, the last-mentioned kind being specially well adapted 

 for shallow or poor soils. 



VARIETIES. 



There are a great many varieties in cultivation, but a limited 

 selection will be sufficient for cultivators as a rule. The following 

 list embraces a large number of reputable varieties : 



Archdukf. A variety belonging to the Duke class, with large, 

 roundish, heart-shaped fruit, which ripens late in the season. Skin 

 thin, dark red to black. Flesh deep red, tender, juicy, sweet, and 

 briskly flavoured. Tree vigorous and prolific. 



Autumn Bigarreau {Belle Agathe).This is a useful variety, raised 

 in Belgium, belonging to the Bigarreau section, with small, heart- 

 shaped fruit produced in clusters, especially valuable as it comes to 

 maturity very late in the season and will hang on the trees for a long 

 time after it is ripe. Skin dark crimson, lightly mottled with 

 yellow. Flesh yellowish, firm, sweet, and well flavoured. 



Belle de Choisy. A French variety, belonging to the Duke class, 

 with large, round fruit, which ripens at mid-season. Skin pale 

 amber, mottled lightly with red, very thin and transparent, showing 

 the flesh beneath. Flesh amber coloured, melting juicy, rich, sugary 

 with a slight sub-acid flavour. Tree hardy, vigorous, and a fairly 

 good bearer. 



Belle d 'Orleans. This is a very early variety, belonging to the 

 Guigiie class with medium-sized, roundish fruit. Skin pale yellow, 

 tinged with red on the sunny side. Flesh yellowish white, very 

 juicy, sweet, and well flavoured. Tree vigorous in habit, and 

 generally bears well. 



