160 FRUIT. 



tion are the following ; — (1.) Dark-coloured : Black Tartarian, 

 May Duke, and Morello ; (2.) Light-coloured : Bigarreau Napo- 

 leon, Elton, and Frogmore Early. The Cherry prefers a deep, 

 well-drained, friable loam, and thrives well under the same 

 treatment as other hardy fruit trees. It bears freely on 

 bushes and standards in favourable situations, but in most 

 parts of the country it requires to be trained against a good 

 wall to obtain exhibition fruit of the highest excellence. The 

 finest fruit is obtained by paying due attention to keeping the 

 trees healthy and vigorous, free from all insects, pinching and 

 regulating the shoots, thinning the fruit to a moderate crop, 

 and securely protecting it from the ravages of birds, mulching 

 the surface to protect and encourage the roots, and a judicious 

 use of liquid manure to swell the fniit to its largest size. 

 When nearing maturity the fruit should be fully exposed to 

 the light, to colour and flavour it to perfection. The Cherry 

 makes a beautiful dish when built in the form of r., cone with 

 all the stalks hidden from view, and in a collection of hardy 

 fruit it is almost indispensable. The points of merit are : 

 (1.) Size; (2.) flavour; and (3.) colour and equality. 



THE CUEEAXT. 



The Currant is one of our most useful and prolific bush 

 fruits. Both the Black and Bed species are indigenous to 

 Britain, where they are extensively grown and used in a ripe 

 state for a variety of purposes, beside being among the best 

 fruits for the manufacture of preserves. The fruit keeps fi-esh 

 and good for weeks of ordinary weather on the bushes after 

 ripening when protected from the ravages of birds, and forms 

 an attractive dish for exhibition. Being cultivated by every 

 one who has a garden, a keen contest for supremacy on the 

 exhibition table is engaged in, especially at country shows, and 

 although few reach the standard of perfection, the majority of 

 dishes are creditably shown. When Currants are well treated 

 they can be grown to a large size, and the cultivation of large 

 berries should be aimed at, whether they are intended for 

 exhibition, market, or private use. Among the best Black 



