Cherries. 
43 
plum  is  inquired  for.  As  an  instance,  the  Pershore,  a yellow 
plum,  is  grown  extensively  for  the  Midland  markets  but  has 
little  commercial  value  in  the  south,  its  place  being  taken  by 
the  red  varieties.  The  choicest  kinds  suitable  to  the  locality 
should  be  grown,  as  in  years  of  glut  these  will  ^ive  some  return 
when  inferior  qualities  are  unremunerative.  Gages  may  be 
planted  where  the  soil  and  situation  are  suitable,  but  they  are 
not  so  hardy  as  plums  and  require  a warm  aiid  sheltered 
position. 
Varieties  of  Flams. — The  first  early  plum  is  Rivers's 
Prolific  ; the  tree  is  hardy  but  does  not  attain  a great  size. 
The  Czar,  brought  out  also  by  Rivers,  is  a good  market  kind 
and  makes  a I’obust  standard.  Early  Orleans  is  not  grown  so 
much  as  formerly.  The  Victoria,  usually  a heavy  cropper,  is 
j)erhaps  the  most  popular  kind,  and  is  useful  for  all  general 
})urposes.  Belgium  Purple  is  prolific,  and  succeeds  as  a 
standard.  Pond’s  Seedling,  which  is  large  and  finely  coloured, 
is  the  best  late  plum  and  is  being  largely  planted.  Monarch, 
a ])lum  also  raised  at  Sawbridgeworth,  has  been  given  a good 
trial  and  is  a great  addition.  The  Czar,  Victoria,  and  Monarch 
may  be  given  a trial  in  the  north. 
The  Diamond  is  largely  grown  in  Kent  for  market. 
Amongst  the  Gages  the  Old  Greengage,  which  is  in  great 
request,  Coe’s  Golden  Drop,  and  Jefferson  succeed  as  standards. 
The  Kentish  Bush  plum,  an  upright  variety,  is  used  for 
planting  as  a screen  on  the  outside  of  orchards  and  plantations. 
The  Damson,  which  was  formerly  very  profitabl(»,  is  not  now 
})lanted  so  extensively,  although  it  hits  in  occasionally,  and 
gives  a good  return  ; but  in  some  recent  years  this  fruit  has 
harilly  been  worth  picking.  The  Farleigh  damson  is  a favourite 
in  the  south,  and  the  Prune  is  found  in  the  west  and  north. 
Other  plums  worthy  of  mention  are  Cox’s  Emperor,  Mitchel- 
son’s  Belle  de  Septembre,  and  Wyedale,  the  latter  a good 
])reserving  kind  which  will  thrive  in  cold  positions. 
Cherries. — Although  the  cultivation  of  the  Cherry  is  mainly 
confined  to  Kent,  orchards  are  also  met  with  in  the  counties  of 
Worcester,  Hei’eford,  the  western  part  of  Hertford,  Gloucester, 
Buckingham,  and  Bedford.  In  Kent  cherries  flourish  exceed- 
ingly on  the  lower  greensand  and  on  the  deep  loams  overlying  the 
chalk  in  East  Kent  (see  Fig.  3).  These  are  well-drained  soils, 
and  this  is  essential  to  the  successful  cultivation  of  cherries.  There 
is  no  more  remunerative  outdoor  fruit  when  it  is  grown  to  perfec- 
tion. Home-srown  cherries,  partlv  from  the  nerishable  nature 
