136 



CHERRIES. 



the fruit is larger, of equally fine flavour, and ripens about 

 two to three weeks later. Forsyth remarks that the tree does 

 not bear equally well ; but Langley states that it is a great 

 bearer, and as early as the Mayduke. Mr. Coxe observes 

 that it is an early variety of the Mayduke; so that there is 

 much confusion in the several opinions. I shall endeavour to 

 solve all doubts by a critical examination of the fruit produced 

 by the trees now growing in my experimental orchard. 



PRINCE'S DUKE. Pr.cat. Pe. hort. Lond. hokt. cat. 



Of all the varieties that I have seen, this cherry excels in 

 point of size, though not greatly exceeding some of the other 

 largest varieties. It was raised by the father of the author, 

 from the seed of a Carnation cherry, and consequently belongs 

 to the Griotte class. The fruit is of a red colour, shaped like 

 that of its parent, and much compressed; very rich and lus- 

 cious when at perfect maturity, but previous thereto possessing 

 a little of the bitterness peculiar to its parent when in the same 

 state. The tree in its growth and foliage partakes of the ap- 

 pearance of the Carnation cherry, and the fruit ripens about 

 the same period. The original tree is not a good bearer, but 

 budded on other stocks may perhaps prove more productive. 



SPANISH GRIOTTE. Pr. cat. 



Griotte d^Espagne. N. Duh. Le Berr. 



This cherry greatly resembles the Archduke, of which it is 

 perhaps but a sub-variety ; it is still larger, being sometimes 

 more than an inch in diameter, by eleven lines in height ; the 

 form is oblong, of smaller size at the extremity than towards 

 the base, somewhat flattened in its diameter, but with less of a 

 cordate form than the Heart Griotte ; the peduncle is very 

 large, and of medium length ; the skin is a very brownish red 

 or dark violet approaching to a black hue, slightly tinged with 

 blue ; the flesh is red, somewhat firm, and less melting than 

 fine cherries usually are, sweet and rather rich. This beauti- 

 ful fruit ripens the beginning of July, and if the weather be 

 rainy when at its maturity, it causes the cherries to crack open 

 and rot. 



