* 7 6 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



At twenty-five years from planting, a tree here and there may produce eight bushels of 

 fruit in a year = 600 bushels, and be sold at 8s. per bushel = <240 per acre. It must be 

 remembered, however, that profits are not ruled by exceptional crops and prices, but by 

 averages, which are affected by cankered and sparse fruiting trees, as well as the heavy- 

 laden and constant bearing. To act on exceptionally favourable returns is wholly 

 fallacious. The most that can be expected from fruit-growing for profit is fair remune- 

 ration ; and those investing in standard trees on grass must be prepared to wait 

 patiently for it. The way thereto has been pointed out as clearly as possible for safe 

 guidance, and the experience will be useful in respect to other fruits. 



Cherries. Standard trees succeed well only in some parts of the country, such 

 as in Mid Kent on the Lower Greensand and on the loams, brick-earth, and other 

 ddbris of the Tertiary series over chalk in East Kent, West Hertfordshire, and Buck- 

 inghamshire. Cherry trees also thrive on the lias in the counties of Gloucester and 

 Worcester, as well as in the deep sands of Bedfordshire. A dry subsoil is imperative, 

 and a high or exposed situation essential, for the cherry blossom early in March is 

 liable to suffer from spring frosts. Low sites and heavy clay- soils are unsuitable. 



The trees should be on the wild cherry (Cerasus avium) stock, and have stout, 

 clean stems not less than 6 feet in height, and well-formed heads, free from gum. The 

 prices of the trees range from Is. 6d. each or 15s. per dozen, to 2s. 6d. each or 24s. per 

 dozen, and the highest-priced are usually the best worth the money. They should be 

 planted 30 feet apart = 48 trees per acre, which, at 24s. per dozen = 4 16s. Suitable 

 varieties : Black Early Eivers, Werder's Early, Waterloo, Black Eagle, Biittner's 

 Black Heart, and Turkey Black Heart; light or red Frogmore Early, Elton (does well 

 in heavy soil), Governor Wood, Bigarreau, Bigarreau Napoleon, and Florence ; Duke 

 cherries require a warm soil and situation : May Duke, Royal Duke, Archduke, Late 

 Duke ; cooking or preserving Flemish Red, Kentish, and Morello. The Duke and Kentish 

 will be accommodated at 18 to 21 feet apart ; Morello at 21 to 24 feet apart. Plums are 

 sometimes planted between the cherry trees, so that the cherries stand 30 feet and the 

 plums 15 feet apart. The ground is cultivated about five years, then sown with grass 

 seeds, or the spaces between the cherry and plum trees may be set with gooseberry and 

 currant bushes, to remain ten years, then be taken out and grass seeds sown. The plum 

 trees may remain about twenty-five years, when the cherry trees will require the whole 

 of the space, as they are then vigorous and productive. 



Standard cherry trees require a little pruning the first seven or eight years, but it 



