CHERRY (AS. eiris, Ger. kiesehr, from Lat. ccrusus, Gk. krru sos, cherry-tree, from Kipac, kerns. Mull). Cultivated cherries have sprung almost entirely from two parent species —Prunus iTrasus and Prunus ariuni—heAli of European origin. I For illustration, see Colored Plate of Thrums. ) Besides these specks. the cherry is represented in Europe. America, japan. and China by indigenous none of which have attained eeonomie importance save the .fapanese form (Pruutin pseudocerqsusl. in honor of which the famous Cherry Festival is given every year. in America the choke-•herry (Prunus rirgin• Iona) has sometimes been cultivated. The bird cherry (Prunus Pennsylranica) is grown for ornament, while Prunus Ressii and Prunus pu mila, two dwarf forms native to the prairie re gion of the Northwest, have lately (-nine into notice because of their fruit.
The garden cherries are varieties of either Prunus cernsus or Prunus oriurn, To Prunus cerasus belong the "Morellos and Amarclles—two of the three groups of sour cherries. in which the tree characteristics are spreading habit and willowy, drooping branches: to Primus ariuni belong the Hearts, Bigarreaux, and Alazzards, the sweet cherries, and the Dukes, the third group of sour cherries, characterized by tall. robust. up right trees.
The cherry is usually increased by budding the desired variety on Alazzard or Alahaleb stocks. Mazzard stocks are now counted best for
both the sweet and sour cherries; but, because buds take more readily on the Alahaleb. this is extensively used as a stock for the sour cherries.
Cherries prefer a well-drained gravelly loam, well enriched with plant food. While they need moisture, they will not tolerate a wet location. The fruit is grown commercially in Europe and the United States. In the eastern United States the sour cherries form an important item in the canning business. while on the Pacific Coast the sweet-cherry industry reaches its highest de velopment.
The fruit of the cherry is much valued as an article of food by the inhabitants of some parts of France. especially by the wood-cutters and charcoal-burners of the forests; and among their modes of preparing it is that of making it an ingredient in soups. It ripens in Norway as far north as latitude 63°. In some parts of Germany the public roads are lined for many miles together with avenues of cherry-trees.
The wild black cherry (Prunus scrotina) is a splendid timber-tree, the wood being highly prized for finishing and furniture, while the bark is used in medicine and the fruit is used for making brandy.