CHERRIES COMPOST AND PLANTING. 



H5 



about the size of road metal at the top, all clean, aud over that spread a 2 to 3-inch layer 

 of old mortar rubbish or weathered chalk, the finer particles sifted out with a |-inch 

 sieve, reserving the fine for mixing with the compost. If the old mortar rubbish or chalk 

 is not obtainable, cover the drainage with a layer of fresh-cut turves, laid the grass 

 side downwards, and on that the compost 27 to 30 inches deep, allowing about G inches 

 more for settling down, which it ought to do somewhat before the trees are planted. 



Compost. Virgin loam, cut 3 to 4 inches thick with its turf where the soil is friable 

 yet not light, substantial but not heavy, and preferably on calcareous formations, suits 

 the cherry. If, as occurs in some localities, the loam is interspersed with calcareo-silicious 

 rocky fragments, or chalk with flints, nothing further is required. Light loarn may 

 have a fourth of clay marl, dried and pounded, or heavy loam, incorporated through it 

 to render it more sustaining ; heavy loam should have a fourth of sharp road scrapings 

 added to it, and intermixed. Good loam need only have one-sixth of road scrapings 

 added. Soil deficient in calcareous matter may have a fourth to a sixth of old mortar 

 rubbish added, when heavy ; light soil may have a similar proportion of chalk mixed 

 with it. Manure should only be used where the soil is poor, or deficient in humus, and 

 then in moderate quantity. The turf should be chopped up, all the ingredients 

 thoroughly incorporated, and formed into the border when moderately dry. 



Trees and Planting. Fan-shaped trees are the best where there is a good surface 

 of trellis or wall to cover. Those two or three years trained to walls and lifted in the 

 previous autumn are the most suitable. Similar remarks apply to cordon and standard 

 trees. They should be planted as soon as the leaves commence falling, and have the 

 roots laid in the top 9 to 12 inches of soil, firming it well, and giving a good watering. 

 The house must be kept open until the time arrives for starting the trees. It is pre- 

 ferable, however, where practicable, to remove the roof-lights, and let them remain off 

 till the trees are started. 



Starting. Trees forced regularly start promptly, and ripen their crops at a given 

 time with remarkable precision. Those forced for the first time are later in starting 

 and perfecting their fruit. This must be taken into consideration, for, though ripe 

 cherries may be had by the middle of April from trees started at the new year, it is 

 necessary that the trees be afforded ample time to grow and perfect their fruit, also to 

 form the next year's crop in embryo in the buds. Trees brought forward rapidly often 

 resent the treatment by casting the flowers without setting, or shed the fruit in stoning. 

 Kegard must also be had to the varieties, for in a house containing early and midseason 



VOL. II, V 



