240 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



However, this does not mean that cherries cannot be 

 produced at a profit outside of those localities. The fact 

 is that this crop is growing in importance in most localities, 

 and plantings are being rapidly extended. 



Of all fruits the cherry must have a dry soil. It thrives 

 best in rich loamy land. When irrigating the cherry 

 orchard, the rule should be to give it only enough water to 

 keep the trees in good condition, and no more. The sweet 

 cherries are nearly as susceptible to cold as the peach, 

 while the sour kinds are about as hardy as the red plums, 

 and the intending planter should select his varieties 

 accordingly. 



The large sweet varieties, as the Lewelling and the 

 Napoleon, have done best in the higher altitudes. This 

 is probably due to the greater annual precipitation and 

 the porous, well-drained soil commonly occurring in such 

 localities. 



The sweet cherries have the reputation of being diffi- 

 cult to transplant, and many persons have experienced 

 difficulty in securing a good stand. Two factors enter 

 into this difficulty, the more important one being that if 

 the buds have started before the trees are planted, it is al- 

 most impossible to make the trees live. Since our nursery 

 stock is mostly shipped in from other states, it is not to be 

 wondered at that the buds swell to a certain extent before 

 the trees can be planted. The second point to be con- 

 sidered in planting cherry trees is that they do not re- 

 quire, and will not withstand, as much water as many 

 other fruits. We think that these two factors will account 

 for many of the failures in securing a good stand of cherry 

 trees. 



