152 THE CHERRY. 



little after their most vigorous stage of growth, 

 which is scarcely ever later than the middle of 

 summer. If too early, the new bud has not become 

 sufficiently mature to withstand the change ; and 

 if too late, its adhesion to the stock cannot take 

 place. 



For standard trees, the soil should be dry and 

 fertile. On moist soils, they do not nourish. 

 Pruning is rarely practiced, and not often needed; 

 but when the fruit suffers from crowded branches 

 and stunted growth, this operation would be doubt- 

 less beneficial. 



VARIETIES. 



In many parts of the country, the cultivation of 

 bad varieties, to the exclusion of good, has been 

 more practiced than with any other kind of fruit ; 

 and many intelligent cultivators, have never seen 

 the finest sorts. Even those who have the best, 

 have perhaps never seen them ripe ; as picking 

 them, when not full grown, and but half matured, 

 is almost universal. The depredations of birds 

 and boys, often compel the cultivator to resort to 

 this practice from necessity. But if some varie- 

 ties could remain two weeks longer than usual on 

 the tree, the improvement in their fine qualities 

 would be such that they would be scarcely recog- 

 nized. 



Among some of the best are the following: 



