396 Descriptions of Select Vmieties of Cherries. 



within a few years, the former were not to be had in any 

 quantity, and the trees of only moderate size. This, coupled 

 with the prevailing mania for large trees, has induced many 

 to purchase seedlings ; but another great cause has been, that 

 few of the many who plant have any knowledge of the su- 

 periority of the choice sorts over the wildings, and are con- 

 tented to know that they have a cherry ; and this idea is, 

 unfortunately, too prevalent : for we are assured by nursery- 

 men, that the call for large mazzard trees is still very great. 

 For ourselves, we should as soon think of planting seedling 

 pear trees as seedling cherry trees, for there is almost as much 

 difference between an Elton cherry and a mazzard. as between 

 a Seckel and a wild pear. 



The cherry has received too little of the attention of amateur 

 cultivators. From the period of the introduction of the Black 

 Tartarian into England, as early as 1794, very little improve- 

 ment was made until 1814 or 1815, when Mr. Knight, with 

 that application of science to the art of gardening for which 

 he was so eminent, produced several new kinds, remarkable 

 for then- beauty and excellence; but, from that period till 

 within a few years, there seems to have been as little done as 

 previous to Mr, Knight's efforts. We have some accidental 

 seedlings of native growth which possess superior qualities, 

 but few attempts have been made to produce new varieties by 

 cross fertilization. The plum, during this period, has been 

 nearly doubled in size, and greatly improved in quality ; but 

 there is scarcely a cherry whicn excels in size, and but few 

 which equal in flavor, the Black Tartarian, the oldest variety 

 we possess. Cultivators have turned their attention to the 

 growth of seedling pears, and we hope that the cherry may 

 also be made the subject of experiment for the production of 

 larger and better varieties. 



Notwithstanding the apparent efforts of pomological writers 

 to clear up the doubts in regard to the distinct character of many 

 sorts of cherries, great confusion still exists; and it will be 

 difficult to arrive at certain conclusions only through a care- 

 ful examination of the trees, foliage, and fruit, of each. 

 Though a work of no little labor, we hope to do our part 

 towards accomplishing it ; and our series of articles is 

 commenced with that end in view. Another year, when our 



