( 28 ) 



though the varieties of table plums now cultivated in the 

 author's establishment exceed 140, still they are a selection 

 only of the choicest kinds ; in making which, the commoner 

 fruits have been altogether rejected. 



CHERRIES. 



This is a tree which accommodates itself to a variety of 

 soils, and will succeed any where but in a clay, a very arid, 

 or a low wet situation. The soil, however, to be preferred, 

 is a light, rich, or sandy loam of consumable depth. The 

 soil around them must be kept cultivated until they have 

 attained a considerable size. If the bodies of the trees be- 

 come bark-bound, some rotten manure must be dug; in around 

 them, and the bodies and largest branches be brushed over 

 with soft soap. 



22. Yellow Spanish. This is a cherry of the largest size, 

 and at the same time one of the most luscious. It is a variety 

 of the Duke, of a straw colour, dotted on one side with small 

 red spots, and added to its fine quality, it is a constant bearer. 

 The skin appears so delicate, that I do not think it so well 

 calcinated for transportation as some others, and I have also 

 noticed that, probably from the same circumstance, the fruit 

 is apt to rot during long continued rains at the period of 

 ripening. At Boston this cherry is sometimes called the 

 Carnation, and by others the Bigarreau, the latter term in- 

 variably indicates hard cherries. 



38. Elkhorn. This is one of the largest black cherries 

 I have ever seen, its size varies little from thar of the Black 

 Tartarian, but it ripens two weeks later, and is peculiarly 

 distinct from every other kind; the flesh, when eaten, having 

 a liver-like consistence and very solid. It is perhaps less 

 highly flavoured than some others, but still a superior fruit; 

 and from its solidity is well calculated for transportation 

 to the markets, and its ripening at a later period causes 

 it to be most suitable for filling up the space between the 

 ripening of the earlier Duke and Heart Cherries, and the 

 common Kentish and Morello varieties. I discovered this 

 variety on a tour through Maryland about 30 years ago, 

 growing in the garden attached to a hotel, and finding it very 

 different from any that I had seen, I brought home some 

 scions for inoculation ; the landlord called it the Elkhorn, 

 which name I adopted for it. 



