CllERKIUS. 



135 



in August ; and, independently of its value from the period of 

 its maturity, is of considerable excellence on account of its 

 appearance, size, flavour, and productiveness. 



" The branches are of vigorous growth, but more spread- 

 ing than those of the May Duke cherry, and the leaves are 

 larger ; flowers large, and resembling those of the May Duke, 

 but opening later ; fruit large, the size of a May Duke, bluntly 

 heart-shaped, somewhat compressed, with a shallow depression 

 on one side ; skin a rich shining red ; flesh tender, juicy, am- 

 ber-coloured, and rich, of the same quality as the May Duke ; 

 stone rather large, roundish-ovate, compressed." 



ARCH-DUKE. Pr. cat. Mil. For. Lond. Hort. cat. 



Royal Archduke ? Late Arch- Duke. 

 Arch.duc. Royal Archiduc. 

 Griotte de Portugal. Duh. Roz. 

 Portugal Duke ? 

 The Portugal. Coxe. 



This tree is thrifty, of medium size, and produces pretty 

 good crops ; the fruit is of a very large size, flattened at its 

 base and summit, and on one side ; it measures nearly an inch 

 at its greatest diameter, and eight or nine lines in height ; the 

 peduncle is of medium length, and rather large, especially at 

 the section which joins the fruit ; the skin is crisp, brownish 

 red, approaching to black ; the flesh is firm and crisp, of a 

 dark red hue, devoid of acidity, but has a slight degree of 

 bitterness, which does not prevent it, however, from being 

 very pleasant, and even excellent in the opinion of a great 

 many persons, who esteem it as the best of all cherries, it be- 

 ing also one of the largest size. It ripens during the earlier 

 part of July. 



HOLMAN'S DUKE. Pe. cat. Laxo. For. Lond. hort. cat. 



I have always suspected that this tree was synonymous with 

 one of the other varieties of the Duke, but as several authors 

 describe it as distinct, I insert their description of it. The 

 branches are more spreading and loose than the Mayduke ; 



