93 



KNIGHT'S EARLY BLACK CHERRY. 



Knight's Early Black. Hort. Trans, vol. Hi. p. 211 ; vol. iv. 

 p. 510. Fruit Cat. no. 69. 



If we were called upon to state specifically the 

 difference between this and the Black Tartarian 

 Cherry, we should certainly be unable to do so; 

 but, at the same time, we should not be the less of 

 opinion that they were distinct. It is well known 

 to fruit-growers, that slight shades of difference, 

 fleeting characters which words are unequal to ex- 

 press, often alone distinguish varieties materially 

 different from each other as objects of cultivation. 

 In figure, size, colour, and flavour, this is nearly 

 identical with the Black Tartarian, but it has the 

 rare merit of ripening earlier ; on a south aspect it 

 will be ripe by the middle of June, so that it is even 

 earlier than the May-Duke. The beauty of the 

 fruit is attested by the accompanying figure ; its 

 favour is equal to that of most Cherries. 



This was raised by Mr. Knight, about 1810, from 

 seed of the Graffion impregnated by the May-Duke; 

 the same parentage as the Black Eagle and the 

 Waterloo. 



Branches spreading, brown, with a grayish 

 cuticle. 



Leaves oblong, pendulous, nearly fiat, of thin 

 lexture, with unusually prominent veins beneath. 



VOL. II. N 



