204 THE FBUIT MANUAL. 



first of June. It is as early as the Early May, and about a fortnight 

 earlier than the May Duke, to both of which it is far superior in rich- 

 ness of flavour. 



The tree is vigorous and healthy, succeeds well as a standard, and is 

 an excellent bearer, but it requires to be grown on the Mahaleb stock. 

 To orchardists this would prove a valuable acquisition, both as regards 

 the earliness and the rich flavour of the fimit. 



This variety was received by the London Horticultural Society from Decandolle, 

 of Geneva, in 1822 ; and by M. Decandolle it was procured from M. Baumann, of 

 Bolwyller. 



Early Purple Griotte. See Early Purple Gean. 



EAELY EED BIGAKEEAU {Bigarreau Rouge de Qouhen).— 

 The fruit is large, about the size of the ordinary Bigarreau, but of a 

 decided heart-shape. The skin is bright red and transparent, like 

 that of BeUe de Choisy. The stalk is from an inch and a half to an 

 inch and three qnarters long. Flesh, firm, rich, sweet, and excellent. 



This is a very excellent early cherry, ripening from the middle to 

 the end of June, and quite ripe before the old Bigarreau begins to 

 colour. 



The tree is like a Duke in its habit of growth, but the fruit is so 

 delicately heart-shaped, and the flesh so firm, that it must be classed 

 among the Bigarreaus. 



Early Eichmond. See Kentish. 



EAELY EIVEES. — Fruit, produced in clusters of ten or twelve, 

 two to four being on one peduncle ; large, nearly an inch in diameter, 

 roundish heart-shaped, somewhat uneven and indented on the surface, 

 marked with a faint suture, and shghtly pitted on the apex, where 

 there is a distinct style-point. Skin, shining deep black. Stalk, an 

 inch and three quarters long, rather slender, green, and with a small, 

 rather deeply-imbedded disk. Flesh, very tender, sweet, and agree- 

 ably flavoured. Stone, extremely small. 



A very excellent cherry ; ripe in the end of June. The tree is an 

 abundant bearer. 



This is a seedling, raised by Mr. Rivers from Early Purple Gean. The tree 

 first produced fruit in 1869, and it received a First Class Certificate from the Koyal 

 Horticultural Society in 1872. 



Elkhom. See Tradescant's Heart. 



ELTON. — Fruit, large, handsomely heart-shaped. Skin, pale 

 waxen yellow on the shaded side, but beautifully mottled and dotted 

 with bright red on the exposed side. Stalk, pretty stout, from two to 

 two and a quarter inches long, set in a shallow depression. Flesh, 

 pale, more tender than firm, juicy, sweet, and of a very rich flavour. 

 Stone, medium sized, ovate. 



A very valuable and deliciously flavoured cherry ; ripe in the begin- 

 ning and middle of July. 



