CHAPTER XVII. 



THE STONE FRUITS. 



The stone fruits include the cherries, peaches and plums. 

 They are called stone fruits because of the hard stony seed 

 found in the flesh. In general, each fruit has similar require- 

 ments, although there are specific differences which are 

 characteristic to each one. Practically all of the stone 

 fruits are very perishable and cannot be kept for any length 

 of time. They are affected by the same insects and diseases. 



CHERRY. 



The cultivated cherry has probably been produced from 

 the two European species, Prunus avium, the ancestor of the 

 sweet cherries, and Prunus cerasus, the ancestor of the sour 

 cherries. 



The sweet cherry trees are characterized by a tall erect 

 growth, by reddish-brown glossy bark which has a tendency 

 to peel in rings. The flowers usually appear with the leaves 

 and are generally born in clusters on lateral spurs. The fruit 

 is either red, yellow or black and either spherical, heart- 

 shaped or pointed. The flesh is either soft or firm. The sweet 

 cherries are divided into three groups, namely, the Hearts, 

 the Bigarreaus and the Dukes. 



The sour cherry trees are characterized by a low headed 

 and a spreading form of a tree. The flowers are born in 

 clusters from lateral buds, which appear in advance of the 

 leaves. The fruit is round, red, soft and sour. The sour 

 cherries are divided into two groups — the Amarellas and the 

 Morellos. 



Propagation. — The cherry is usually propagated by budding. 

 The budding should be done in the nursery row when the 



