406 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Cherries. 



firm, without being hard like many of the Bigarreaus, quite 

 melting, rich, and delicious. 



The original tree of this cherry was selected, with about a 

 dozen others, from a bed of seedlings, in 1839, which gave 

 promise, from their very large and beautiful foliage, of pro- 

 ducing superior fruit, if anything can be judged from the 

 leaves. Van Mons, by constant observation, became so 

 familiar with the foliage of his seedling pears, that he could 

 generally form a tolerably correct opinion of the character of 

 the fruit from the foliage and wood. The production of this 

 cherry shows that such characteristics are some guide to the 

 excellence of the fruit. The foliage of 

 our seedling, on young trees in particular, 

 is very remarkable, being larger and more 

 beautiful than almost any variety we are 

 acquainted with. 



It first commenced bearing in 1848, 



when the tree only bore a dozen or two 



cherries ; but every year since then it has 



borne more abundantly, and this season 



the crop was very large, and presented a 



beautiful appearance. The cherries hang 



in clusters of from twenty-five to thirty, 



and their large size, brilliant color, and 



glossy skin, appear in striking contrast 



with most other sorts. What adds to its 



^^^' ^'cheJy. ^""^^ merit is its lateness, coming in after nearly 



all the sweet cherries are gone, about the same time as the 



Sweet Montmorency. 



The tree is a vigorous grower, making strong annual 

 shoots, and forming a somewhat pyramidal head. 



Size, large, over an inch in diameter, and an inch long : 

 Form, obtuse heart shaped, tapering very little, with a shal- 

 low suture on one side, ending in a large depressed point at 

 the apex : Skin, clear rich amber in the shade, beautifully 

 mottled with brilliant red in the sun, often nearly covering the 

 fruit : Stem, short, about an inch long, rather stout, nearly 

 straight, and inserted in a deep, round cavity : Flesh, pale 



