42 



late autumn, when the leaves assume an infinite 

 variety oi purple, crimson and orange tints, 

 combine to make the cherry, apart from its fruit, 

 a most attractive tree. The flowers expand at the 

 same time as the young leaves, and an advantage 

 of the cherry is that it gives a display of flowers at 

 an early age as well as at an early season. The 

 leaves, which are serrated and drooping, change 

 from a first tint of bronze to a bright green ; the 

 bark is a dark smooth grey, frequently encircled 

 at intervals with thin ribs. The cherry is easily 

 raised by suckers, layers, or from the stones of the 

 fruit, the latter method being the most approved. 



Although recognised more as an ornamental 

 and fruit-producing tree, the cherry, when grown 

 in a fairly good soil, yields wood that is of excellent 

 quality — strong, close-grained, red coloured, taking 

 a good polish, and easily worked. It is said to be 

 much used by cabinet makers in those parts of the 

 continent where mahogany is not imported so 

 largely as it is into England. 



Familiar as we are with the various forms in 

 which the cherry enters into our diet, it is used 

 still more extensively in that of our continental 

 neighbours. We frequently hear of cherry cakes. 

 Kirschwasser, the common spirit of the continent, 

 is distilled from the wild cherr}-. Maraschino 

 also is made from a small acid cherry which 

 abounds in Northern Italy. 



