August 
236 THE CULTIVATOR. 
Horticulturist for December, is a communication from 
S. A. Shurtleff, M. D., of Brookline, near Boston, 
in which he states that in the winter of 1839-’40, he 
gave each of his plum trees a 1 1 dressing of about two 
quarts of salt.” He was careful, however, not to put 
it nearer than a foot to the body of the tree. The salt 
was that which had been used for pork, and he cau¬ 
tioned the gardener not to use the brine; but lie 
notwithstanding, did use about a gallon of it round one 
tree, which killed it. Dr. S. states that he Used salt 
in the same way the next season, and, as he thinks, 
with beneficial results, so much so that he is “ fully 
convinced that it is, if properly and judiciously used, a 
sure preventive offboth the fungus [ black knot or wart,'] 
and the curculio.” We should be glad to hear from 
others who have tried salt for plum trees, and hope 
results will be furnished for the benefit of the public. 
It is in this way only that we can ascertain with cer¬ 
tainty the specific operation of any substance. 
SIZE OF CHERRIES. 
In the larger fruits, as apples or pears, magnitude is 
usually regarded as the first excellence, and fine quali¬ 
ty next; huge, coarse fruits being often preferred to 
those of moderate size, though of the most delicious 
flavor. In other words, show is considered mofe desi¬ 
rable than real merit. Among smaller fruits, as cher¬ 
ries and strawberries, where gathering is a chief labor, 
it becomes quite important to procure if possible, those 
of a respectable size. For market, a cherry of a fine 
showy appearance, will command a price nearly double 
that of one of oifly a medium aspect. The present sea¬ 
son, fruit pedlers paid five dollars per bushel on the 
tree for the Napoleon Bigarreau, more readily than 
three dollars for fruit of a medium size, though of bet¬ 
ter quality. 
To those who have not made careful comparison of 
the various sizes of cherries, measurements of the di¬ 
mensions of some of the more celebrated sorts may 
prove Useful and interesting. They are taken from fair 
specimens under good culture—not larger than may be 
found in large numbers on every healthy and vigorous 
tree. 
LARGE CHERRIES. 
Napoleon Bigarreau —this is perhaps the most uni¬ 
formly large cherry as yet much cultivated—one inch 
wide, and twenty-three twenty-fourths of an inch long 
(from stem to apex.) 
Black Tartarian —same size as the preceding, when 
under the best culture,—but more liable to vary to a 
smaller size. 
Yellow Spanish —1 inch wide, 7-8ths long. 
Large White Bigarreau —15-16ths wide, and 1 inch 
long. 
Holland Bigarreau —one thirtieth less each way than 
,the last. 
Downton— ll-12ths of an inch wide, and 7-8ths 
long. 
Carnation —ll-12ths wide, and 4-5ths long. 
Large English Morello —ll-12ths wide and long. 
Knight's Early Black —23-24ths wide, 7-8ths long, 
3-4ths thick. 
Belle Magnifique —same size as the last. 
Black Eagle —23-24ths wide, 4-5ths long. 
Florence —23-24ths wide, 3-4ths long. 
Elk Horn —7-8ths wide and long. 
MEDIUM IN SIZE. 
American Heart —7-8ths wide, 19-24ths long. 
Sparhawk's Honey —19-24ths wide, 3-4ths long. 
Gridley —nearly 7-8ths wide, 3-4ths long. 
Downer's Red —5-6ths wide, 3-4ths long. 
Madison Bigarreau —same size as last. 
Belle de Choisy —7-8ths wide, 3-4ths long. 
Early Purple Guigne —7-8ths wide, 19-24ths long. 
May Bigarreau —largest specimens. 3-4ths wide and 
long. 
The Napoleon Bigarreau, from its large size, great 
productiveness, and firm flesh, is eminently fitted for 
marketing, though of only second rate flavor. The 
Black Tartarian, not less productive, is usually a little 
less in size, and on old trees much less; but excels the 
former in flavor. The Yellow Spanish is nearly as 
large.as the Napoleon, and rather superior in quality, 
and is besides a fruit of great beauty. The Early pur¬ 
ple Guigne and May Bigarreau, though not so large 
nor so fine as many others, will always be valuable for 
market, from their very early maturity, being one or 
two weeks sooner than almost any other variety. 
Among those of large size, and of the very finest fla¬ 
vor, may be named Knight’s Early Black, and Black 
Eagle, Downton, American Heart, Large White Big¬ 
arreau, Downer’s Red, Florence and Sp-arhawk’s Honey. 
Protection of Fruit. — “ Well, well,” said the 
old man, “ if neither words nor grass will do, I must 
try what virtue there is in stones.” 
Moral .—“ If good words and gentle means will not 
reclaim the wicked, they must be dealt with in a more 
severe manner .”—Noah Webster. 
Much has been said and written upon the subject of 
protecting fruit from being stolen,.and many laws have 
been enacted for the same purpose; but still I presume 
all persons who have attempted to cultivate choice 
fruit have been more or less annoyed by having their 
fruit pilfered by school boys and loafers, and sometimes 
by persons who would not like to be classed with ei¬ 
ther. Writers upon the subject of Fruit Culture have 
suggested various remedies for this evil, but so far as 
I recollect, I have never seen one that I thought would 
be effectual in accomplishing the object. The idea of 
making fruit so plenty as to prevent its being stolen 
is impracticable, for the reason that so long as there 
is one variety better than another, it will be a sure 
mark for the pilferer. Fences and walls can hardly 
be built that will be a sufficient protection, without 
they, are so expensive as to preclude their general 
adoption, and dogs and hedges cannot be said to be 
always sure of accomplishing the object. Living in a 
village where are several large public schools, in which, 
“ respect for a neighbor’s fruit,” 't would seem, is not 
one of their studies, I have formerly suffered and been 
much annoyed by having my fruit /- tolen—particularly 
my choice early fruit. A remedy, v hich I have proved 
for several years, but which is not original with me, I 
have found entirely satisfactory, and can recommend it 
to all fruit eulturists, as cheap, safe, and sure. A few 
applications in each season will correct the worst 
neighborhood. The remedy is this: Procure from 
some druggist an ounce of tartar emetic; dissolve a 
small quantity in warm water; then select some choice 
specimens of fruit on the trees you wish to protect , and 
dip the fruit into the preparation, marking the fruit in 
some way that you will know yourself. A person af¬ 
ter once trying fruit well prepared in this manner, 
seldom, if ever, has a relish for more; in fact, it gives 
him a sort of a loathing of even the sight of the tree, 
so that he will never approach it the second time with 
a view of stealing your fruit. This remedy is simple, 
and easy of application, and sure of producing the ef¬ 
fect desired, and is applicable alike to all fruits, whe¬ 
ther small or large. J. 
The Ohio Cultivator asks if there was not some 
mistake in the recipe for making soap, published in our 
January number. There was a mistake in giving one 
ounce of soda instead of one pound. The error, how¬ 
ever, was corrected in the March number, and we are 
sorry our friend did not read with sufficient attention to 
discover it. 
