116 



CHERRIES. 



the formation of the Horticultural Society there, whose labouri* 

 appear to be most unwearied, and eminently successful. 



BLACK EAGLE. Pr. cat. Pom. mag. Hort. Trans. 



The following descriptive remarks I copy from the Pomo- 

 logical Magazine : 



*' This is as good a bearer as the Black Heart, and far 

 superior to that variety in the quality of its fruit : it is not to 

 be doubted that this will one day usurp the place of that an- 

 cient variety in our gardens. 



*' It was raised by Mr. Knight from a seed of the Ambree of 

 Duhamel, impregnated with the pollen of the May Duke ; 

 and it really combines all that is most worth raising in both 

 these varieties. At least, such is the account of its origin as 

 given in the Horticultural Transactions, vol. ii. p. 208, and it 

 is probably the genuine history of the variety, notwithstanding 

 a different account to be found at p. 302 of the same volume. 



" This is another of the cherries raised by Mr. Knight 

 which have been allowed an introduction into this work ; 

 and it is not too much to say, that the improved varieties 

 of the distinguished horticulturist, to whom they owe their 

 origin, are among the most valuable sorts that we possess. 

 It ripens soon after the May Duke ; the tree is spreading ; 

 branches strong, dark brown, partially sprinkled with a gray- 

 ish epidermis ; leaves oblong, acuminate, broadest about two- 

 thirds from the base, doubly serrated, but not so deeply as 

 those of the Heart Cherries generally are ; partaking also of 

 the thick texture of the leaves of the Duke Cherries ; from 

 their larger size, pendulous growth, and somewhat wavy mar- 

 gin, they are rather more allied to those of the former ; peti- 

 oles longish, and moderately strong, with reniform glands ; 

 flowers middle-sized ; stamens shorter than the style ; petals 

 roundish or roundish-oval, concave, imbricated ; fruit between 

 heart-shaped and round, flattened at top and bottom ; stalk 

 short and thick, like that of the May Duke ; skin black, when 

 the fruit is fully ripe and well exposed ; flesh tender, with a 

 dark purplish juice, rich and high flavoured ; stone small, 

 round." 



