early days for 1000, which seems an enor- 

 mous sum, as at that period good land is 

 stated to have let at one shilling per acre. 

 We can only reconcile our minds to this 

 great price, from the deficiency of other 

 fruits in this country, and the splendour in 

 which Henry the VHIth and his ministers 

 lived. 



Fruit orchards are still considered the 

 most valuable estates in Kent ; and I learn 

 from Boys's Kent, that cherry-gardens, while 

 in full bearing, pay better than orchards ; 

 but the cherry-tree does not generally con- 

 tinue more than thirty years in perfection. 

 Mr. Randall says he has known a single 

 cherry-tree produce fruit that he has sold 

 for above five pounds per year, for seven 

 years in succession. Gerard says, " the 

 Luke Wardens cherrie is so called, because 

 he was the first that brought the same out of 

 Italy ; another we have called the Naples' 

 cherrie, because it was first brought into 

 these parts from Naples : the fruit is verie 

 great, sharpe pointed, somewhat like a man's 

 heart in shape, of a pleasant taste, and of a 

 deepe blackish colour when it is ripe/' This 

 author mentions the Spanish and the Gas- 

 coigne cherry, &c. and says, " there are 

 many other sorts in our London gardens/' 



