146 CHERRIES. 



rate size, with numerous slender branches, which do not sup- 

 port themselves well, and many of which perish when it is not 

 pruned ; its leaves are small, finely indented and almost as 

 acute towards the petiole as at the point ; its fruit is borne on 

 very long peduncles, measuring from two to two and a half 

 inches ; it is quite round at the extremity and in its diameter, 

 but partially flattened at the base ; it is slow in gaining its *^ 

 full size, but will attain to a circumference of thirty-eight lines ; 

 the skin becomes a very dark red colour, nearly black ; the 

 flesh is red, full of very acid and bitter juice, which is some- 

 what ameliorated at extreme maturity. It is stated that at 

 Paris this cherry will continue on espalier trees facing the 

 north until in October, which circumstance, joined to that of 

 its beauty, is worthy of consideration. 



NORTHERN GRIOTTE. Pr. cat. 



Griotte du Nord. Cerise du Nord, N. Duh. 

 Brune de Bruxelles 7 



This variety appears to bear great resemblance to the 

 preceding, and perhaps it varies but little, or is not at all dif- 

 ferent. The fruit is borne upon a peduncle one and a half to 

 two inches long; its form is almost spherical, the diameter 

 being eleven lines, and its height ten ; the skin and flesh are 

 both of a dark red colour. This is a beautiful cherry, and 

 acquires sometimes the size of a medium Green Gage plum, 

 but it is very acid, and even somewhat bitter. There is a 

 sub-variety, which is much more pleasant, being of more mild 

 taste, and less austere. This fruit is yet rare in the vicinity 

 of Paris, but is very much disseminated farther to the north. 

 In Holland it is almost the only cherry which is extensively 

 cultivated, and its culture is also attended with great success 

 in Belgium. In those countries they make use of its fruit for 

 preserves, and especially for a kind of wine, which is very 

 pleasant, and of which the higher classes consume large quan- 

 tities. The Dutch obtained this variety from Russia. 



