Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08
TUT baO 0I 6O1.
The Best Cherries.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS AND DE
SCRIPTIONs OF VARIETIES.
BY R. H. HAINES.


cination in those simple words. "Cher-
ries are ripe" that many still feel who
have passed the meridian of life. Flow
the thoughts go back to the past-to
the days of childhood What pleasant
memories come to mind of the happy
hours of those youthful days? Far
back in the vistas of many a PERSONS
memory is indelibly impressed the pic
ture of some favorite cherry tree. How
eagerly was the time awaited, when
those luscious cherries should first ripen.
Visits we're paid days beforehand to the
almost idolized tree, to see If the fruit
had yet been kissed by the sun into
blushing maturity. And when at last
the cherries were found to be tinged
with red, how joyfully would youthful
voices re echo the cry, CHERRIES are
ripe! cherries are ripe!" What an op-
portunity, too, did those cherry trees of
former days afford, to the boy of six or,
eight years, for displaying his valor and
courage to his admiring little play
mates! He would climb as proudly
among those Ito him difficulty branches
as does the sailor as he springs up the
lofty main-mast in the presence of won
dering ''landsmen." The woodman's
axe, with its keen and relentless stroke,
may have felled to the ground those
trees of former days changes may have
occurred in the ''ship of state;" FASH
| ions In dress have ccme and gone; but
that part of human nature, with its love
for fruit and the display of boyish valor,
is still the same, and each recurring year
we see the scenes of past years re- enact.
ed over and over again. 1t does US all
good to become young again. Perhaps
the fountain of perpetual youthfulness
of feelings may yet be found among the
cherry trees, or in slipping the nectar
from other delicious fruits. Let us now
turn to see what qualities of special
value, some of the most prominent va
rieties of cherries may possess.
LaGelling This is fine, large, new,
black cherry that is now attracting
considerable attention. 1t is native of
Oregon, where it is highly esteemed on
account of both its large size and good
shipping qualities. The fruit is fine and
solid. keeping well after being picked.
The tree belongs to the Heart or Biga-
resu varieties of cherries, nearly all. of
which are also desirable for shade trees,
being of rapid and vigorous habits of
growth.
Gov. Wood, Elton, Napoleon Biga-
reau, Downer's Late Red and Yellow
Spanish, are all white or light colored
cherries of the Heart or Bigareau class,
and are varieties that are quite we'll
adapted for planting In most localities
in the United States. OF the darker or
black cherries of the same classes I
might mention the Early Purple Guigne,
Black Tartareau, Rockport, and Black
Eagle as being among the best for gen.
eral planting. All of the above also
make fine shade trees for planting along
the side walk or near dwelling.
The Ok Heart, a large white cherry,
is also popular in many sections. Many
other kinds of cherries. whether white
OR black, are errOneously called by this
name, as it is name that seems TO have
taken strong hold upon the popular
fancy. Cherries of the above classes are
among the finest and most delicious for
eating. The trees may not be as hardy
in extremely cold ATTITUDES as the Dukes
and Morellos, soon to be mentioned, but
most of them thrive we'll In such north
ern localities as Nova Scotia, Lower
Canada, Michigan, or other places where
the climate is moderated, or rendered
more uniform. by large bodies of water
being near at hand.
| Olivet and MOntmorenci Ordinaire
arc two popular, new, large, red cher
ries of the Duke and Morello class. The
first commences to ripen early, and con-
tinues to ripen over long period, while
the second is week or two later than
the well known Early Richmond and
considerably larger Other desirable
varieties Of two classes, that are well
adapted to general cultivation are May
Duke, Belle Magni6que, Refine Hor-
tense, and Late Duke. The trees of the
Duke and Morello class are usually more
hardy than others, and better suited to
such localities as Maine, Wisconsin and
Northern Iows In the lower Gulf
States the Morello class is about the only
class that succeeds there
The Early Purple Guigne. May Duke,
Rockport, and Early Richmond are
among some of the above varieties, and
the Downer's Late, Red, Belle Mag
niique, Black Eagle, Refine Hortense,
and Late Duke, among some of the Ia.
test. Most of the other varieties named
above ripen in about the middle of the
cherry season. A longer list could be
given, but it is doubtful whether it
would be an improvement for general
planting.
Cherry trees are usually planted in
March, April. and early in May, also in
OctoDer ana November. They generally
require but little care after they are
planted, except perhaps to keep the soil
over the roots mulched or cultivated dur
Ing the first few summers. Little prun-
ing Is nee0ed-the removal of few in.
terlacing side-shoots from the trees
while young being sufficient. Certainly
there are few ways in which such unal-
loyed enjoyment can be so easily obtain
ed, as in the planting of few cherry
trees, with their accompanying crops OF
delicious. joy bestowing fruit.
MoOrestOwn, N. J.
Things that will wear are not to be
had cheap. Whether it be a fabric or q
principle, if it is to endure it must cost
something. Glitter, tinsel, brilliant
coioring, may all be had without much
expense; but, if we would have strength