THE CHERRY 
than most other types, therefore is of- 
ten used as a stock on which to bud, and 
on which to grow better varieties. 
Soil Best Adapted 
In its wild state, the cherry is gener- 
ally found growing on a porous, sandy, 
moist soil. It will grow on a variety of 
soils, but it does best where the soil is 
not too wet, where there is not too much 
clay and where there is not a hardpan 
subsoil. For the best fruiting, there 
should not be too much humus in the 
soil, as this leads to a heavy wood 
growth; but it should be rich in mineral 
elements. The soil should always be 
well drained, and if the cherry orchard 
has not natural drainage, it should be 
tiled or drained with surface ditches; for 
the cherry tree will not do its best in 
a damp soggy soil. Further, during the 
early part of the year, when the tree 
is developing or ripening its fruit, there 
should be more water than in the latter 
part of the season, when it is passing 
into a dormant state. 
Sg 
eT 
Fig. 1. 
773 
Planting the Trees 
As in the planting of other orchard 
crops, the soil should be well prepared, 
graded, pulverized and all roots, trash 
and other obstructions to subsequent cul- 
tivation, removed. This is especially im- 
portant if the ground is to be irrigated; 
but is subject to some modifications in 
the humid climates, where irrigation is 
not practiced. 
As to whether the square, hexagonal or 
some other method of planting is adopt- 
ed, is a matter of choice, depending 
somewhat on conditions. See our article 
on planting under Apple. 
The distances apart will depend on 
soil, climate, and the purposes of the 
grower; but most of all upon the varieties 
planted. For instance, the sour cherry, 
is not a large tree when it has reached 
maturity, and may be planted 20 to 25 
feet apart, with reasonable assurance that 
the trees will not crowd each other 
when full grown. The sweet cherry will 
srow twice as large as the sour cherry, 
A Well Arranged and Well Cared for Cherry Orchard, Three Years Old. 
—Courtesy N. P. Ry. 
