The Canadian Horticulturist. 153 



-^ Qd^stior) 2)pa(jo^p. ^ 



CLASSES OF CHERRIES. 



SiK, — What is the difference between Duke, Moreilo and Bigarreau cherries, and what 

 are the best varieties of each ? J. S. W. 



Since the varieties ot cherries have so multiplied, the old divisions have 

 become less distinct ; especially have the Hearts and the Bigarreaus shaded off 

 into each others characteristics, and the 1 Jukes and the Morellos. The main 

 characteristic of the two former varieties is the large vigorous growth of the trees, 

 as compared with the latter. In general, the Heart cherries are tender in flesh, 

 and the Bigarreaus firm. Mr. Barry in his Fruit Garden classifies them thus : 



Class I. Heart cherries. Fruit heart-shaped, with tender, sweet flesh. 

 Trees of rapid growth, with large soft drooping leaves. Class II. Bigarreau 

 cherries. Chiefly distinguished from the former class by their firmer flesh. 

 Their growth is vigorous, branches spreading, and foliage luxuriant, soft and 

 drooping. Class III. Duke and Moreilo cherries. Very distinct from preced- 

 ing. Trees of smaller size, and slower growth ; leaves thicker, more erect, and 

 of a deeper green. The fruit is generally round, and in color varying from light 

 red, like Belle de Choisy, and dark brown, like Mayduke. The Dukes usually, 

 have stout erect branches, and some of them, like Belle de Choisy and Reine 

 Hortense, are quite sweet. The Morellos have slender, spreading branches, 

 and, invariably, acid fruit. Suitable for dwarfs, and more hardy than class I 

 and II. 



According to Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening, the Dukes and Morellos 

 are derived from the Dwarf cherry (Cerasus caproniana), and the Bigarreaus 

 from the tall Gean (Cerasus avium), both natives of Great Britain. 



Of the Hearts, we have had best success with Black Tartarian, Elton, 

 (Governor Wood, and Knight's Early Black ; of the Bigarreaus, with Napoleon 

 Bigarreau, Elkhorn, Great Bigarreau and Windsor ; and of the Duke and 

 Morellos, with Early Richmond, Empress Eugenie, Montmorency, and Reine 

 Hortense. 



BEST PEARS. 



Sir, — Which are the best varieties of pears for (1) Summer, (2) Fall, (3) Winter? 



J. S. W. 



The following are reliable kinds for profit. (Summer), Beurre Gifiard, 

 Bartlett, Clapp, Doyenne Boussock (Fall), Duchess, Howell, Sheldon, (^^■inter), 

 Anjou, Lawrence, Josephine de Malines. 



