CHERRIES. 



SYNOPSIS OF CHERRIES. 



IN the following arrangement I have endeavoured to classify 

 all those varieties of cherries that are most nearly allied to each 

 other, for the purpose of facilitating their identification. 



All the varieties of cultivated cherries will be found to consist 

 of eight races, into which I have arranged them : I. The sweet, 

 heart-shaped cherries, with tender and dark-coloured flesh, I have 

 called BLACK-GEANS. II. The pale-coloured, sweet cherries, with 

 tender, light yellow, and translucent flesh and skin, I have distin- 

 guished by the name of AMBEE-GEANS, as at once expressive of 

 their character. III. Here we have the dark-coloured, sweet 

 cherries, with somewhat of the Bigarreau character. Their flesh 

 is not so firm and crackling as that of the Bigarrcaus, but con- 

 siderably harder than in the Black Geans, and these I propose to 

 call HEAETS. IV. Includes the BIQAEEEAUS, properly so called, 

 with light-coloured mottled skin, and hard, crackling flesh. 

 V. These ai*e called DUKES, as they include all those so well 

 known under that name. VI. Embraces all those nearly allied 

 to the Dukes, but with pale-red skin, translucent skin and flesh, 

 and uucolourecl juice ; they are, therefore, distinguished as RED- 

 DUKES. VII. Includes all those, the trees of which have long, 

 slender, and pendent shoots, and dark-coloured fruit, with 

 acid, coloured juice, and appropriately termed MOEELLOSJ 

 and VIII. I have called KENTISH, as it includes all those 

 pale-red, acid varieties, of which the Kentish cherry is the 

 type. 



The advantages of such an arrangement and nomenclature are, 

 that they not only facilitate identification, but assist description 

 and interchange of ideas. If, for instance, a new cherry is in- 

 troduced, and it is said to belong to the Ked-Dukes, we know at 

 once that it has some affinity with those familiar varieties Belle 

 de Choisy and Carnation j or if it be a Morello, we know it is a 

 dark-fleshed, acid cherry ; while if we are told it is a Kentish, 

 then we know it is a pale-fleshed, acid variety j and so with all 

 the other divisions. 



I. GEANS. 



Branches rigid and spreading, forming round-headed trees. 

 Leaves long, waved on the margin, thin and flaccid, and feebly 

 supported on the footstalks. Flowers large, and opening loosely, 



