CHAPTER XL 



THE CHERRY. 



Plant enough cherries for both folks and birds. Farmer Vincent. 



This delicious fruit came originally from Europe, 

 and comprises two distinct species sour cherries and 

 sweet cherries. 



PROPAGATION. Budding is the usual method. 

 Common seedlings may be used for stocks, although 

 nurserymen commonly use imported stocks such 

 as the Mahaleb or the Mazzard. For very cold 

 climates the Mahaleb stock proves more hardy. 



SELECTING NURSERY TREES. Cherries one or 

 two years old from the bud, are about right. Choose 

 medium-size trees. If you can get unbranched sweet 

 cherries, they are somewhat easier to make live. 



SoiiyS. Cherry trees do best in a light soil, well 

 drained, but not too dry ; sandy, loamy or gravelly. 



SPECIAL CULTIVATION RULES. Owing to the fact 

 that the cherry matures its fruit so early in the 

 season, cultivation should begin earlier and cease 

 sooner than in the case of other tree fruits. 



Bark-burst, sun-scald, gum : Cherries (especially 

 sweet varieties) , often grow so rapidly as to burst the 

 bark at some point or points on the trunk. There- 

 fore, excessive pruning, cultivation or nitrogenous 

 fertilizers should be discouraged. In fact, many 

 growers say that cultivation should cease two or 

 three years after planting, and the ground be seeded 

 (91) 



