82 HISTORY OF FRUITS. 



the Romans, as they do not partake of the character of 

 any of our native trees. 



It is observed of stone-fruit in general, that, if sown im- 

 mediately after they are excarnated, they will appear the 

 following spring, but, being kept too long, they will not 

 germinate under two years. 



The timber of the wild cherry-tree comes to perfection 

 in about forty years. 



The cherry-tree produces its fruit generally at the ex- 

 tremity of the branches; therefore, in pruning, they should 

 never be shortened. In trees that are trained to a wall, 

 displace all foreright shoots by the hand, in the summer; 

 for if they are suffered to grow till winter, they will not 

 only deprive the bearing branches of their supply of nou- 

 rishment, but, when they are cut out, will occasion the 

 tree to gum in that part. Cherries bear the knife worse 

 than any other sort of fruit-trees : we would therefore im- 

 press upon the mind of the pruner, that although this fruit 

 was gained by the sword, it may be lost by the knife. 

 He must be also careful not to rub off the sides or spurs 

 which are produced upon the two or three year old wood ; 

 for it is upon these that the greatest part of the fruit is 

 produced ; and it will continue fruitful for several years. 

 " It is," says Miller, ' for want of duly observing this 

 caution that cherry-trees are often so unfruitful, especi- 

 ally the Morello, which shoots the weaker the more it 

 is cut. 



Judiciously planted, the cherry-tree is very ornamental 

 in a shrubbery, its early white blossoms contrasting with 

 the sombre shades of evergreens in the spring, and its 

 graceful ruby balls giving a pleasing variety in the sum- 

 mer; particularly the Morello, which, when planted as a 

 standard, decorates the pleasure-grounds by its gracefully 

 pendent boughs, whose snowy blossoms opening early to 



