Descriptions of Select Varieties of Cherries. 391 



slender, and inserted in a small, moderately deep cavity: 

 Flesh, pale amber, tender, juicy, rich, sweet, and delicious r 

 Stone, ovate, medium size. Ripe about the middle of June. 



8. Early Purple Guigne. Hort. Soc. Cat,, 3d Ed. 1842, 

 Early Purple Griotte. Hort. Soc. CaU, 3d, 1842. 



This fine early cherry, {fg. 22,) though introduced some 

 years ago, and beautifully figured and accurately described 

 in the Transactions of the London Horticultural Society 

 in 1S30, (Vol. YIII,) where Mr. Thompson 

 has given a flattering account of its merits, 

 is scarcely known to American cultivators 

 only through the medium of pomological 

 works. We have had it in our collection 

 eight or ten years, the last three or four 

 of which it has produced a small crop ; 

 but from its earliness, being nearly ripe 

 before any others begin to color, except 

 the May Bigarreau, the robins each suc- 

 cessive year gathered what few there 

 were. This year the crop was more 

 abundant, and the branches clothed with 

 fruit, and being determined to see a va- 

 riety which had been so highly eulogized, 

 we covered up a few limbs, and thus suc- 

 ceeded in securing specimens which quite 

 astonished us. They were not only of pig. 227~E^iy Purple 

 large size, but they ripened earlier than "'^"^" 



the May Bigarreau, were considerably larger, and were even 

 richer than that fine sort. It possesses all the qualities of a 

 good cherry, and we can commend it as worthy of a place 

 in every choice collection. 



The tree is not a very vigorous grower, nor of so good a 

 habit as some other sorts. The branches are slightly pen- 

 dent, and the head somewhat loose and irregular. It is, how- 

 ever, an abundant bearer. 



Size, medium, about three quarters of an inch long, and 

 seven eighths of an inch in diameter : Form, roundish heart- 



