CHERRIES. 145 



Henry VI II., that the fields and environs of about 

 thirty towns, in Kent only, were planted with fruit trees 

 from Flanders, to the unusual benefit and general im- 

 provement of that county to this day." 



The trees grow like those of the Morello, with slender 

 branches and shining leaves. The stone is so strongly 

 attached to the stalk, as to be withdrawn by it from the 

 pulp with facility, leaving the fruit apparently whole : a 

 property, I believe, not possessed by any other cherry. 

 In this state it is laid on hair sieves and exposed to the 

 sun, where it dries and becomes a delicious sweetmeat, 

 similar in appearance to that of a large sultana raisin, 

 and will keep thus for twelve months. 



9. LATE DUKE. Pom. Mag. t. 45. 



Cerise Angloise tardive. HorL Soc. Cat . No. 22. 

 according to the Pom. Mag. 



Fruit large, above the size of a May Duke, bluntly 

 heart-shaped, somewhat compressed, with a shallow de- 

 pression on one side. Skin a rich shining red. Flesh 

 tender, amber-coloured, juicy, and rich, of the same 

 quality as a May Duke, Stone rather large, roundish, 

 ovate, compressed. 



Ripe on a standard in August. 



This cherry has a great affinity to the Arch Duke, 

 if not absolutely the same. It appears, however, to be 

 scarce in our gardens, and to be better known among 

 the French than with us, although its name indicates its 

 being of English origin. The branches are of vigorous 

 growth, but more spreading than those of the May Duke, 

 and the leaves are larger. 



10. MAY DUKE. Langley, 1. 17. fig. 3. Miller, 

 No. 3. Hooker, Pom. Lond. t. 28. 



Fruit roundish, flattened at both ends, of a deep red 

 colour, and growing in clusters : when fully ripe, the 

 flesh is soft, juicy, and tender, with a very pleasant acid, 

 and a rich agreeable flavour. 



