CHAPTER IX. 



THE CHERRY. 



THE early season of ripening and the refresh- 

 ing acid of this fruit are points of great value. 

 The drawbacks are that the crop is uncertain, is 

 liable to rot, is subject to the depredation of birds, 

 and is difficult to gather, especially when the 

 trees are large. The intrinsic excellence of the 

 fruit is, however, so great, the tree is so vigor- 

 ous and ornamental, and requires so little care 

 and pruning, that, if we have room, we can well 

 afford to plant enough to give a liberal supply 

 of fruit for ourselves and also for the birds. 

 The cherry will thrive in nearly all good soils, 

 preferring a rather dry, gravelly loam. Budded 

 upon the Mazzard stock, the trees make the 

 most vigorous growth, and attain the largest 

 size. They should stand twenty feet apart, ex- 

 cepting the Dukes and Morellos, which are of 

 smaller growth and require fifteen feet space. 

 As an exception to all other fruits, and in order 

 to check excessive and immature growth, a 



