AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES 181 



very recent years. In 1!)09, the trees below bearing 

 were equal to three-fourths those in bearing. 



The preeminent variety for the State in acreage, 

 value and successful production is the Bartlett. The 

 Seckel and Bosc stand next in the list of commercial 

 sorts. New York ranks first in the production of 

 pears. 



Plums and prunes are minor tree-fruits with less 

 than a quarter the number of trees of pears and 

 peaches. They also show a less proportion of young 

 trees and the indications are that a decrease in acre- 

 age is imminent. Plums are closely associated with 

 pears in distribution, climate and soil relations. 

 They belong M^ith the hardy fruits. 



The cherry, unlike the plum, shows a strong ten- 

 dency to increase in acreage. The acreage was some- 

 what larger than that of plums in 1917 and amounted 

 to 13,000 acres and is increasing. While the State 

 ranked ninth in number of bearing trees in 1910, it 

 was second in number of trees below bearing age 

 and fifth in value. The cherry compares with the 

 apple in the breadth of its adaptation to New York 

 conditions. 



Cherry trees of native fruit of the cultivated sorts 

 are common in a wild state and are found in every 

 neglected fence corner and wayside spot. The cherry 

 is the most common home-garden fruit throughout 

 the State, the type being the pie or sour cherry which 

 is more hardy and less exacting of soil and climate 

 than are the sweet varieties. 



