CHERRIES AS PYRAMIDS. 



87 



apart, and pinched regularly in the summer, and 

 managed as directed for pear trees (p. 8). The lead- 

 ing shoot from each branch in such cases must be left 

 longer, and shortened to twelve or more buds. 

 . The most charming of all pyramids are the varie- 

 ties of the Duke and Morello cherries on the Maha- 

 leb ; these by summer pinching, as practised for pyra- 

 midal pears, become in two or three years the most 

 delightful fruit trees ever seen, for in spring they are 

 perfect nosegays of flowers, and in summer clusters 

 of fruit — if spared by spring frosts. 



The common Morello cherry on the Mahaleb stock, 

 cultivated as a pyramid, forms one of the most pro- 

 lific of trees ; but as birds carry off the fruit when 

 only half ripe, each pyramid should have a bag of 

 tiffany placed over it, and tied round the stem of the 

 tree at bottom. Any garden, however small, may 

 grow enough of this useful sort by planting a few 

 pyramids, lifting and replanting, or root-pruning 

 them biennially, and pinching in eve7 , y shoot to three 

 leaves (as soon as it has made five) all the summer. 

 The Kentish cherry, also a most useful culinary sort, 

 may be cultivated as a pyramid with great success. 

 A French variety grown near Paris, in large quanti- 

 ties, and known as the " Cerise Aigre Hative," which 

 may be Englished by calling it the Early Sour Cherry, 

 is a useful kind for the kitchen. In going from Paris 

 a year or two ago to Versailles by the " Rive Droite " 

 Railway, I was much struck by seeing in the market 

 gardens between Suresnes and Puteaux, on the left, 

 large plots of dwarf trees, about the size of large 

 gooseberry bushes, and some very low trees, all cov- 



