CHEEErES AS BUSHES AND PYEAMIDS 111 



soon as the autumnal rains have sufficiently penetrated 

 the SOU, a trench may be dug round the tree, exactly 

 the same as recommended for root-pruning of pears, the 

 spade introduced under the tree to cut all perpendicular 

 roots, and all the spreading roots shortened with the 

 knife, and brought near to the surface, previously 

 filling in the trench with some light friable soil for 

 them to rest on, and spreading them regularly round 

 the tree, as near to the surface as possible ; then cover- 

 ing them with the soil that was taken out of the 

 trench. No dung or manure of any kind is required, 

 as this stock seems to flourish in the poorest soils. 

 Some short litter or half-decayed leaves will, however, 

 be of much benefit placed on the surface round the- 

 stem. 



I have thus far given their culture for small gar- 

 dens ; but those who have more space may dispense 

 with the root-pruning, and allow their cherry trees to 

 make large bushes, which may be planted eight feet 

 apart and pinched regularly in the summer, and 

 managed as directed for pear trees (p. 10). The 

 leading shoot from each branch in such cases must 

 be left longer, and shortened to twelve or more 

 buds. 



The most charming of all pyramids are the varieties 

 of the Duke and Morello cherries on the Mahaleb; 

 these by summer piaching, as practised for pyramidal 



ripened, and the roots soon emit fresh fibres to feed the tree the 

 following season. 



