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Montmorency Cherries with normal length 
stems—11/16 inch to 24/16 inch 
Montmorency Cherries with intermediate 
length stems—15/16 inch to 30/16 inch 
Montmorency Cherries with long stems— 
24/16 inch to 48/16 inch 
The Key to Improved and 
Stabilized Cherry Varieties 
A transitional tree is one in which the characteristics of the 
fruit are mixed. A cherry tree of this type may be found in the 
orchard of Ralph Raider, Shelby, Mich. In this tree, the genetic 
factors blend into each other, and thus modify each other. 
The three illustrations at the top of this page show the 
difference in stem length. In this one tree, there are 36 different 
stem lengths, ranging from 11/16 to 48/16 inches. 
The Montmorency and late ripening Montmorency cherries 
which appear at the right show the instability with respect to 
ripening, which results when chimera cherry buds are used in 
propagation. This is typical of the ripening condition of an 
orchard of 500 trees, from which these cherries were taken. Note 
the deep pistil scars which are characteristic of the late ripening 
variation. 
The illustration at the bottom of the page shows a transi¬ 
tional twig, bearing Montmorency and late ripening Montmorency 
cherries. Under such unsegregated conditions, uniformity in ripen¬ 
ing, which is one of the main considerations in cherry selections, 
is impossible. 
Greening Bud Selection segregates, separates and stabilizes 
those desirable qualities or characteristics which are sought for 
by all scientific fruit growers. 
12 3 4 5 
(1) cherries from late ripening tree which is nearly segregated; 
(2) cherries from a large scaffold limb; (3) normal Montmorency 
cherries; (4) cherries from a small secondary branch; (5) green cherries 
picked from ripe ones in otherwise normal trees. 
Montmorency and late ripening Montmorency Cherries 
on transitional twig.—Photo by Dr. V. R. Gardner, Director Michigan State College 
Experiment Stations 
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