THE CHERRIES OF NEW YORK 71 



a dwarfing stock. ^ From this date on the Mahaleb is mentioned in all 

 American works on pomo ogy in which stocks for cherries are discussed. 



Pains have been taken to show the exact date the Mahaleb began 

 to be used as a stock in America. The quotations show that this was 

 about 1850. They show, too, that at first and for a long time its only- 

 use was as a dwarfing stock. But now the Mahaleb has almost wholly 

 superseded the Mazzard as a stock for all Sweet and Sour Cherries. Not 

 many cherries were propagated on the new stock until after i860 when 

 its use, if we may judge from the accounts of fruit-growing, began to be 

 general and it grew so rapidly in favor that by 1880 it was more poptdar 

 than the Mazzard and in another decade had almost wholly taken the 

 place of the latter. Probably 95 per centum of the cherries grown in 

 this country are budded on the Mahaleb. Why has the Mahaleb sup- 

 planted the Mazzard ? This is the question that immediately comes to 

 mind and to the discussion of which we proceed. 



There is no question but that it is much easier to grow cherry trees 

 on Mahaleb stock in the nursery than on Mazzard and that usually a better 

 looking tree can be delivered to the fruit-grower on the first-named stock. 

 Seedlings of both stocks are imported from Europe and those of the 

 Mahaleb are usually cheaper. These reasons are sufficient for the 

 exclusive use of Mahaleb by nurserymen, and, were it certain that the 

 Mahaleb is the best stock for the fruit-grower, all hands might forthwith 

 renounce the Mazzard. In what respects is it easier to grow cherries on 

 the Mahaleb in the nursery than on the Mazzard ? 



All know that the Sweet Cherry is a little difficult to grow — is capri- 

 cious as to soils, climates, cultivation and pruning, and as to diseases 

 and insects. The Mazzard now used for stocks has the faults of the species 

 to which it belongs. The Mahaleb, on the other hand, is adapted to 

 a greater diversity of soils; is hardier to either heat or cold; less particular 

 about cultivation; will stand more cutting in the nursery if pruning be 

 necessary; is less susceptible to aphids which in many parts of the United 



about the size of a marrow-fat pea, and quite bitter. It blossoms and bears fruit when about three years 

 old. It is considerably cultivated in many parts of Europe, as an ornamental lawn tree. There are very 

 few bearing trees in this country yet; consequently nearly all the stocks used are imported, or grown from 

 imported seeds." Barry The Fruit Garden 1851:115, 117. 



• " Dwarf Trees. — Are produced by propagating the Sweet or Duke varieties on the Mahaleb, or 

 Morello roots. They should in aU cases be worked just at the crown of the root, as it is there a union 

 is best formed; and also, by means of pruning, (see page 30) they should be made to form heads branchmg 

 immediately from the ground." Elliott Fr. Book 1854:185. 



