146 CHERRY. 



fading, they evolve a most disagreeable scent. They 

 therefore should not be planted near public walks. 

 The bark has been used medicinally, and for dying ; 

 and the young leaves were formerly used in salads. 



SECT. V. 



OF THE CHERRY. 



This fruit is found in a wild state over almost all 

 Europe ; but it is said, that the first large variety 

 was a native of a town in Asia, called Ctrcnus, by 

 which name it was known to the Romans, and by whom 

 it was introduced into various parts of western 

 Europe. As early as the time of Henry VllI, there 

 were cherry gardens in Kent ; and there is an 

 account of one in that county, of thirty-two acres, 

 which, in the year 1540, produced as much fruit as 

 sold for one thousand pounds sterling ! an enormous 

 sum in those days, when the rent of land was only 

 about one shilling per acre. 



The best soil for cherries, is a light sandy loam, 

 upon a dry subsoil of rock, or hard compacted loam, 

 free from moisture. And when borders are made 

 for cherries, they should be as near as possible of the 

 like description ; only the trees require a deeper 

 staple than is necessary for other kinds of fruit. 

 Like most other fruit trees, they require but a very 

 '"'•oderate quantity of rich dung near the roots ; which 

 "'ices a luxuriance, neither favourable to the 



only inu^ 



