62 MAKING HORTICULTURE PAY 



upon which the fruit is borne. The yield is fre- 

 quently reduced one-third or more from this cause. 

 The culture of the sweet cherry may be made ex- 

 ceedingly profitable if its requirements are care- 

 fully observed. 



" The sour cherries are more universally planted, 

 for they are hardier and more easily grown. They 

 are somewhat dwarfed in character and do not 

 make as large trees. While the sweet cherries re- 

 quire 30 feet space each way, the sour varieties 

 may be planted 16 to 18 feet. These should be two 

 years of age when planted. 



" The May Duke is one of the best and most 

 desirable for an early market variety. Reine Hor- 

 tense is also good, but for the general market and 

 for all purposes the large Montmorency is the most 

 profitable. Sour cherries will do well in fairly rich 

 moist soil. Cultivation will be well for them a 

 part of the time, every other year seeding to clover 

 for a cover crop to occupy the land for one year. 



" The sour cherries are used extensively for can- 

 ning. They are picked in 10-pound baskets and 

 carefully assorted into 8-pound baskets, also in 

 strawberry quarts, and shipped. One cent a 

 pound is paid for picking and women are paid 10 

 to 12 cents an hour for assorting and packing. The 

 sour cherries sell for 6 to 9 cents a pound, and as 

 150 trees may be planted upon an acre, and they 

 will, at 15 years, average 100 to 125 pounds to a 

 tree, they are one of the most profitable fruits 

 grown." 



Concerning varieties, S. D. Willard of Ontario 

 county, New York, writes : " I have had 30 years' 

 experience in growing cherries, and during this time 

 have found the following varieties best adapted 

 to the clay loam of my farm : Early Richmond, 



