Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/543

CHE we remember, with satisfaction, the perusal of that written by Mr. Henry, of Manchester. CHERRY, a species of the Pm- tms, L. or plum-tree, a genus of plants, comprising fifteen species, originally natives of Persia : whence they were introduced into Italy, as well as other parts of Europe ; and are supposed to have been brought from Flanders into England, in the reign of Henry the Eighth. — The principal species, growing in our climate are the following : 1 . The Paths, or bird cherry, or wild cluster cherry, a shrub which flourishes wild, on almost any soil, if not wet (Withering); and is found chiefly in hedges and woods. It bears lopping, and does not stifle the growth of grass. Sheep, goats, and swine eat the leaves, but they are not relished by cows, and re- fused by horses. Its fruit is nau- seous; but, when bruised, and in- fused in wine, or brandy, it im- parts an agreeable flavour. Its smooth and tough wood is made into handles for knives and whips. The inner bark is said to afford a tine green colour, on boiling it with alum. Bechstein observes, that this dwarf tree, when transplanted into a rich soil, attains the height of forty feet, and two feet in diame- ter ; and that it thrives most luxu- riantly near hedges and waters. As its abundant white blossoms, in May, present a picturesque view, it deserves to be cultivated on the borders of parks and gar- dens. — Holmberger, a Swedish author, remarks that the dried kernels of this cherry are equal in taste and flavour to almonds, and yield, on expression, a fine and plentiful oil. — A deco&ion of the CHE l>£ berries is sometimes successfully given in the dysentery. 2. The Cerasus, or common wild cherry tree, which is fre- quently found in woods and hedges, but is probably produced from the stones of the garden-varieties, drop- ped by birds. It delights in * sandy soil, and an elevated situa- tion, and often grows from fifteen to thirty feet in height, but is sel- dom more than nine inches in dia- meter. It flowers in the month of May 5 its sour fruit is eaten by country people, either fresh or dried, and is frequently infused in brandy, on account of its aro- matic flavour. Cherry-trees require to be plant- ed from twenty to thirty feet distant, and to be set deeper in the earth than apple-trees ; with the management of which, in other respects, they correspond. Their growth is said to be uncommonly promoted, by laying a composition of lime and night-soil on their young stems, with a brush, which operation has a similar effecr. on apple-trees. The best method of raising cher- ry-trees is, to plant them among hops, in alternate rows with apples, and with two rows of filberts be- tween each ; by which means they arrive very speedily at perfection, and thus amply repay the expence and labour bestowed on them at first. The proportion (in die coun- ty of Kent, where this species is principally cultivated) is usually, to an acre, 800 hop-hills, 200 fil- berts, and 40 cherry and a trees. The hops will stand about twelve years, and the filberts about thirty, by which time the cherry and apple-treea will occupy the whole land. This