314 FRUIT-GROWING 



Montmorency 



Fruit-growers will argue about the "one 

 best" variety of almost any other fruit except 

 the cherry. All are agreed that the Montmo- 

 rency is the one best bet of the cherry-grower. 

 No other variety seems to be so altogether 

 desirable in every way. The tree is hardy, 

 vigorous and as healthy as an oak. It will 

 apparently grow and bear fruit in almost any 

 soil and is equally well adapted for either home 

 use or market. The fruit ripens fairly late in 

 the season, not so late as English Morello, but 

 apparently just at the exact psychological 

 moment when every one wants cherries. The 

 early varieties have all been disposed of and 

 the housewife has just about decided that she 

 missed her chance to buy cherries for canning 

 purposes when along comes a farmer with a 

 load of Montmorencies. The housewife asks 

 no questions, but pays the price and is glad that 

 she did not get left altogether. The fruit is not 

 of such high quality as that of some other sour 

 sorts, but this would not be noticed by any one 

 except a cherry " specialist" who made a busi- 

 ness of going around tasting fruit from every 

 grower who would allow him to roam at will 

 through his orchards. Personally I think the 

 quality of a well ripened Montmorency is excel- 

 lent, and I would be willing to challenge any one 

 to consume more of them in a day than I can. 



