The Cherry as a P7'ofitable Fruit for Market-Purposes. 171 



THE CHERRY AS A PROFITABLE FRUIT FOR MARKET- 

 PURPOSES. 



Without recuning to the records of profits and products realized from 

 individual cherry-trees, as so much tangible, incontrovertible evidence of 

 the money-profits to be derived from chemes, I will give attention rather 

 to a general assertion, covering a few plain truths known to all who have 

 given attention to the subject of fruit-growing. These are. First, that, as 

 a rule, the cherry in some of its varieties succeeds perfectly, when classed 

 as a tree for general cultivation, in nearly every section of our Northern, 

 Middle, and Western States. 



Second, The trees grow rapidly ; are usually healthy ; can be easily 

 grown from seed, or varieties readily propagated by budding or grafting j 

 and arrive at profitable mature bearing age in from four to six years. 



Third, It is not particular about soil, provided it be one in which water 

 never stands twenty-four hours at a depth nearer the surface than two feet, 

 although it delights in a rather light loam, resting on a gravel subsoil. 



The product of the trees varies, according to their age and the variety, 

 at from one-fourth of a bushel to thirty bushels ; and the fruit always com- 

 mands ready sale at prices var}'ing from four to twelve dollars a bushel. 



These are some of the generally acknowledged good points taken in 

 connection with the cherry when faiit-growers come to consider the policy 

 and probable profit of planting it as a market-crop ; and yet with all 

 these, and the fact, that, yearly, thousands of bushels of cherry-fruits are 

 grown and marketed, there are hundreds of our smaller cities and market- 

 towns where it is rare ever to find an eatable cherry offered for sale. 



As a tree combining beauty of form, or delicacy in spray, glossy foliage, 

 and snowy bloom, for ornament, and a delicious healthy fruit for use, none 

 among the whole catalogue deserve or receive the same amount of favor 

 as the cherry. It is planted as shades in the village door-yards ; it adorns 

 the home-grounds of the farmer, whether of ten or a thousand acres ; it is 

 often planted by scores as shades decorative and cooling, bordering an 

 avenue or approach-road. Go where you will, the country over, and where 



