THE FKUIT-GAEDEN. 63 



they retain their hold more tenaciously, and more qnickiy escape. The 

 work should be commenced very early in the season, as soon as the 

 fruit begins to set, or is not larger than a small pea. With properly 

 stiffened muslin frames, a few minutes are sufficient for many trees, and 

 labor equal in the aggregate to that of a single entire day, may save large 

 and valuable crops." 



The confinement of swine or fowls beneath the trees, though not so 

 certain a remedy as the preceding, is often effectual in saving the 

 fruit. 



Grafting of the plum should be done quite early in the season, and 

 budding as soon after midsummer as properly matured buds can be 

 had. 



THE CHERRY. VARIETIES. 



Rockport Bigarrean. — Quite large, round heart-shaped ; color, when 

 fully ripe, a beautifiil clear red, shaded with pale amber, with occasional 

 spots ; stalk an inch and a half long, cavity wide ; flesh firm, juicy, 

 sweet, rich, with an excellent flavor. Season rather early. Tree up- 

 right, vigorous. Origin, Cleveland, Ohio ; one of the best of Dr. Kirt- 

 land's new seedlings. 



Bigarreau or Graffion. — {Syn. yellow Spanish, white bigarreau of Mas- 

 sachusetts.) — Very large, often an inch in diameter, obtuse heart-shaped, 

 very smooth, regular, base flattened; surface clear, pale waxen yellow, 

 with a handsome light-red cheek to the sun ; stalk an inch and three- 

 fourths long, cavity very wide, shallow ; flesh firm, with a fine, rich 

 flavor. Season medium, or last of June. Shoots stout, diverging or 

 spreading. This variety, although not of the highest flavor, has be- 

 come, from its great size, beauty, and productiveness, a general favorite. 



The late bigarreau, which originated with Dr.Kirtland, of Cleveland,re- 

 sembles this, but is slightly less in size, deeper red, and ripens about ten 

 days later. 



Cleveland Bigarreau. — Very large, round heart-shaped, suture broad 

 and deep half way round ; color bright, clear, delicate red, or amber 

 yellow ; stalk an inch and a half long, curved ; flesh firm, juicy, sweet, 

 very rich. Season early, or with black Tartarian. Eesembles the 

 graffion, but ten days earlier. Origin, Cleveland, Ohio. New. 



Elton. — Large, pointed, heart-shaped, somewhat oblong, pale yellow 

 blotched, and shaded with red ; stalk two inches long, slender ; flesh 

 firm, becoming rather tender, rich, high-flavored, excellent. Season 

 medium, or rather early. Growth spreading, rather bending ; petioles 

 reddish-purple. A cross between the graffion and white-heart. One 

 of the finest of cherries. English. Rather tender in very severe 

 climates. 



Downton. — Large, round heart-shaped, apex quite obtuse, or slightly 

 indented ; light cream-color, stained with red ; stalk an inch and three- 

 fourths or two inches long, slender ; cavity wide ; flesh yellowish, ten- 

 der, adhering slightly to the stone, rich, delicious. Season medium, or 

 rather late. Growth rather spreading. 



Black Tartarian. — {Syn. Frazer's black Tartarian, black Circassian, 

 black Russian, Ronald's large black-heart, Ronald's heart.) Quite large, 



