CHERRIES. 283 



An excellent cherry when well ripened ; ripe the beginning of July. 

 The tree is an early and very abundant bearer, producing very heavy 

 crops, a stroDg and vigorous grower, growing with spreading or rather 

 drooping branches. 



Bigarreau de Ludwig. See Ludwig's Bigarreau. 

 Bigarreau de Lyons. See Early Jaboulay. 

 Bigarreau de Mai. See Baiimann's May. 



BIGARREAU DE MEZEL (Bigarreau Monstrueux de Mezel; 

 Monstrvse Marmorkirsche). Fruit, very large, three-quarters to over 

 an inch high and the same in width ; obtuse, heart-shaped, and flat- 

 tened on both sides, one of which is marked with a slight suture, 

 extending over the apex, where there is a slight nipple. Skin, very 

 shiny, thick, and adhering to the flesh, of a pale rose striped with red 

 at first, but changing to dark brown streaked with dark purple when 

 fully ripe. Stalk, two inches and a half long, slender, set in a wide 

 round cavity. Flesh, red, veined with pale rose, firm, juicy, and 

 richly flavoured. 



A very large and handsome cherry, of excellent quality ; ripe in July. 



It was found at Mezel, near Clermont Ferrand, in the department of Puy de 

 Dome, by M. Ligier de la Prade, prior to 1846, when it was first brought into 

 notice, but it had existed in a vineyard at that place for thirty years before, and 

 might have remained till this day without becoming known beyond the district 

 had not a Horticultural Society been instituted which published an account of it 

 in their bulletin, and distributed grafts. It is stated by the committee who first 

 investigated it that 110 fruits weighed over two pounds. 



Some confusion exists between this and Biyarreau Gros Cceuret, which is a 

 synonym of Belle de Rocmont, and in a third edition of this work I assisted in 

 adding to it by making them synonymous. 



Bigarreau des Yignes. See Bigarreau Esperen. 



BIGARREAU ESPEREN (Bigarreau des Vignes). -Fruit, large, 

 heart-shaped, and marked with a broad shallow suture. Skin, pale 

 yellow, shaded with crimson, with deeper colour where fully exposed. 

 Stalk, an inch and three-quarters long, stout, and inserted in a pretty 

 deep cavity. Flesh, white, rose-tinted, firm, and crackling, richly 

 flavoured. 



A very fine cherry, ripe in the middle of July. 



Though this bears his name, it was not raised by Major Esperen, 

 but has for many years been cultivated in the provinces of Liege and 

 Namur under the name of Bigarreau des Vignes. 



Bigarreau Gaboulais. See Early Jaboulay. 

 Bigarreau Gros. See Bigarreau. 

 Bigarreau Gros Coauret. See Belle de Rocmont. 

 Bigarreau Gros Monstrueux. See Bigarreau de Mezel. 



