CHERRIES MANURING. , 37 



root pruning ; but root pruning must not be deferred longer than the second year, 

 or the cherry on the common stock gets such strong hold of the soil that it is difficult 

 to root-prune safely. If the trees are on common cherry stocks, they must be lifted 

 biennially until they assume a fruitful state. They must not be closely summer pruned 

 if pruning is not practised, for trees fail to bear when they make strong shoots. The 

 most that should be attempted with large pyramids is thinning the shoots in June and 

 shortening irregularities at the end of August, keeping the heads open by a judicious 

 thinning of the spurs after the fruit is gathered, never after October, and then removing 

 all dead and useless wood. 



Cordons. These are very interesting and productive. Single vertical or diagonal 

 are the most eligible forms. The most suitable varieties are those of the Duke race : 

 Empress Eugenie, May Duke, Eoyal Duke, Duchesse de Pulluau, Archduke and 

 No-uvelle Eoyale. Early Eivers and Governor Wood are also excellent. These forms 

 are originated in the manner described under "Apples " with the pruning of the cherry. 



Manures. The elements of cherry wood, according to Engelman's analysis, consist 

 of: Potash, 20*78; soda, 8-40; magnesia, 9*19; lime, 28-69; phosphoric acid, 7'73; 

 sulphuric acid, 3-29 ; silica, 2-06 ; iron, 0*07 per cent. Cherry bark constituents are: 

 potash, 7*46 ; soda, 14*53 ; magnesia, 5*10 ; lime, 41*95 ; phosphoric acid, 3*26 ; sul- 

 phuric acid, 0-80; silica, 19*98; iron, 0*20; chloride of sodium, 0*62 per cent. For 

 components of fruit, see Vol. I., page 53. Phosphoric acid, potash, and lime are the chief 

 ingredients taken from the ground and that need to be restored to it to maintain its 

 fertility. Magnesia and soda are essential to the wood and bark, forming with lime and 

 silica the best safeguard against disease, and, though small quantities only are required, 

 they must not be absent or the trees cannot remain healthy. They are usually found 

 in the soil or conveyed in manures. Cherry orchards in grass should be grazed by sheep 

 fed with oats, cake, mangolds or swedes. The droppings and urine contain all the 

 essential elements that need be applied to orchard trees. Care must be taken to place 

 the feeding stuff so as to have the ground evenly manured. 



In bare soil a dressing of solid manure may be given annually when the trees bear 

 profusely and are not induced to make too much wood. In good soil, cherry trees 

 produce abundant crops for many years without any manure. Continued bearing over 

 several years reduces the resources of the soil, therefore manure is necessary to enable 

 the trees to produce fine fruit. It should be given before the trees become enfeebled. 

 Farmyard and other solid manures may be applied in the manner given on pages 50-52. 

 VOL. n. T 



