CHERRIES. 



177 



In Kent a fine kitchen cherry is grown, called the Kentish cherry. 

 It is said that the trees are dying out, and are not so productive as they 

 formerly were. There is a very late cherry, ripe in October (fig. 336), 

 which Rivers states is never attacked by birds ; however, my birds are 



FIG. 333. Black 

 Eagle Cherry, 

 shown May 3, 

 1871, at Horti- 

 cultural Gar- 

 dens. 



FIG. 334. Bigar- 

 reau Uuke Cherry, 

 shown May 3,1871, 

 at Horticultural 

 Gardens. 



FIG. 335. Morello Cherry. 



FIG. 336. October 

 Cherry. 



not so complacent. It is desirable to have a single tree, for the sake 

 of a dish of fruit out of season. The cherry-tree likes a soil of rich 

 loam over chalk, which mine is not ; in a garden it is necessary 

 to protect the fruit from birds, or they will take the greater part or 

 the whole of the crop. 



CURRANTS. 



Every garden grows black, white, and red currants. Black Currants 

 (fig. 337) grow well beside the water, and always like a moist, rich soil. 

 There appear to be several varieties which are superior to the common 

 wild one, or the common kind which ordinarily springs from seed. The 

 variety we cultivate I have not identified by name ; it yields very large 

 berries. The black currant is easily propagated by cuttings, put in the 

 ground at any time from autumn to March ; in fact, if care be taken, 

 probably they can be struck at any time. There is a late variety 

 of black currant, which is very indifferent ; I believe it is called the 

 Black Naples. 



A new variety, called Lee's Black Currant, is said to have great 

 merits. I have some trees, but have not yet seen the fruit; the character 

 of the wood shows a vigorous growth. 



Of Red and White Currants I have tried about sixteen kinds, but 



N 



