ORCHARD FRUITS 6l 



is shorter lived, while the union between bud and 

 stock is not always good. If trees can be had on 

 Mazzard stock they will be much better. It is 

 better to plant small trees, one and two years old. 

 They suffer less in removal from the nursery, and 

 will be more certain to grow. 



" The site for a cherry orchard should be elevated 

 and a north or west exposure chosen. Free circula- 

 tion of air is necessary, as the fruit will rot much 

 less under such conditions. Never plant in hollow 

 or low places, as the fruit will be practically lost 

 every year by rot in such places. The soil should 

 be good, but not too rich, as the trees grow lux- 

 uriantly, and their bodies crack and burst on rich 

 soil. They should be branched low in forming the 

 tops of the trees, as they will grow 50 feet high. 

 For two years the soil should be cultivated, or 

 until the trees are well established and are making 

 good growth ; after that they will do better to be 

 left in sod, cutting the grass and letting it lie upon 

 the ground as a mulch. 



" The trees need only slight pruning, sufficient 

 to give them well-balanced heads. After five years 

 little or no pruning will be required, if they are 

 well formed by that time. The Black Tartarian 

 and Black Eagle are among the finest varieties, but 

 they are half hardy only, and should not be planted 

 where the mercury goes to 12 degrees below zero. 



" The Yellow Spanish, Windsor, Robert's Red 

 Heart, Downer's Late Red, are among the best 

 varieties to plant for home use or for market. We 

 have picked 400 pounds of Robert's Red Heart from 

 one tree and sold the fruit for $40. At present it 

 would readily sell for $80. 



" In picking sweet cherries much injury is often 

 done to the trees by breaking off the slender spurs 



