THE CHERRY 



127 



5. Yields. In the East 3 to 5 tons per acre may be ex- 

 pected from a mature orchard in good condition, or 1 to 1^2 

 bushels per tree. The average for all orchards is much less. 

 Prune trees often yield 2 to 3 bushels per tree. The Japanese 

 or Salicina varieties come into bearing at 3 to 5 years of age; 

 the Domestic varieties, about 2 years later. The native 

 American plums require a longer period. 



On the Pacific Coast the trees tend to come into bearing 

 earlier and to produce larger crops than elsewhere. 



V. THE CHERRY 



The picking period for cherries is usually short. It is 

 largely determined by the weather, except in the Pacific Coast 

 states. Varieties also differ greatly in length of picking 

 season. The soft-fleshed, juicy kinds mature and deteriorate 

 rapidly. The firmer and drier varieties give the grower more 

 time to handle them. Among the sour cherries, English 

 Morello is noted for the extended period that it will hang on 

 the tree. Some growers in the East have found that, after 

 being dusted lightly with sulphur just before picking, the 

 fruit will hang much longer without breaking down, because 

 of the prevention of brown rot infection. 



Table 30 indicates the regions of commercial cherry pro- 

 duction in the United States. The Pacific Coast states are 

 the heaviest producers of sweet cherries, though New York 

 and Michigan have substantial plantings. The latter states, 

 with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, produce the bulk of the 

 sour cherries, mostly of the Montmorency variety. 



Most sour cherries go to market without further grading 

 after picking. Sweet cherries and fancy lots of sour cherries 

 should be run by putting small quantities on burlap packing 

 frames or tables and sorting carefully by hand. Women do 

 this work extensively. 



Sour cherries are seldom faced, but sweet cherries of 



