CHERRY. 205 



a. Kinds with sweet juice, including wliat are known as Maz- 

 zard and Hearts cherries. These are generally tall, rather erect 

 growing trees. They do best in a somewhat moist climate, 

 notably in coast states where the winters are not severe. 



b. Kinds with sour or sub-acid juice, including what are 

 known as sour and morello cherries, of which the Montmorency 

 and Early Richmond varieties are examples. These types are 

 usually low-headed, with spreading branches. They include the 

 "hardiest known varieties, some of which do well even in dry cold 

 climates. 



Prunus mahaleb, a slender, small tree bearing small, dark 

 red austere fruit, a native of southern Europe, is sometimes found 

 in cultivation. It is used for stocks upon which cherries are 

 propagated. 



The wild American cherries include the sand cherry (Prunus 

 besseyiij; the large choke cherry of the Western states (Pni7ius 

 demissaj, and the bird cherry (Prunus Pennsylvanica). 



Location and Soil. — The cherry will succeed on a drier soil 

 than most other fruits. It must have goo'd drainage in both soil 

 and air if it is to be successfully grown. In wet places or water- 

 soaked subsoils it soon perishes. Tlie best locations are on high 

 land tipping to the north, as in a location of this sort growth 

 does not start as early in the spring and the buds are not so apt 

 to be injured by frost. A rise of even a few feet above surround- 

 ing land is desirable, if high land cannot be obtained. Cherries 

 do best on a rather light sandy or gravelly loam. If the soil is 

 very rich they tend to produce too much wood. The subsoil 

 should be porous and well drained, neither clay hard pan or dry 

 gravel. A good cherry soil should contain plenty of moisture 

 early in the spring months and up to the time of ripening of the 

 fruit, but after that only enough to ripen the wood slowly. 



Planting. — The soil should be thoroughly prepared and in 

 good working condition before the trees are set. The distance 

 between trees will vary with the variety, climate, soil and rain- 

 fall. The sweet cherries on rich soil in a good location require 

 from thirty to forty feet distance, while the sour cherries under 

 the same conditions require about 400 square feet of soil or to 

 be set 20x20 feet. If the soil is not very rich and is rather dry 



