CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1568, 21 December 1865, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

GARDENING IN CANTERBURY. Large Cherbies. TO THE EDITOE OF THJB LYTTELTON TIMES. Sie,—That the cherry is equal to the peach in the chape of stone-fruits in this part of the world, there is abundant proof this season, in my fruit garden ; for the greater part of my trees are heavily laden with abundance of fruit, and of the first quality. The first sample which I send you is called, Biqarreau. Napoleon; in comparison for size, the? are more like plums than cherriet. It 18 a French cherry. Napoleon the elder, when dire would not eat any other cherry-hence its name. It is also a good bearer; resembling the old Bigarreau, but darker coloured, and of first quality and first size. The second sample is the May Duke, not so Ufffe as the first, but possesses many other oua ities It is an' old favourite variety English people. In former years it has been more extensively planted in every county in England than any other cherry, a efficient indication of its value. It is well known by gardeners to be an abundant bearer, „ d ° the hardiest of early kernes From i rich deliquescent flesh you will find that it well merits extensive cultivation here. The third sample is called Black Tartarian, ine tnira I j iave been brought from Russia. It is also stated tohaveoSated in Spain, whence it «« transmitted to tl* cherry of great excellence. It « able for its earliness, similar to the May , and a good bearer in this country. The above three varieties 1 corisidei-tobe oV chtrVie's ! have «t vou speak well for antipodal gardening ; for, fn mv fortv years' experience in gardening to higtet character, I never came across any cherries so large and fine before. Yours, &c., WILLIE SWALE. Aronside Botanic Garden, Dec. 19, 1865. rw, Swale's remarks apply to the outside <rfcherries We have tried the inside, and of bis cuerries. _ . . fruit, and pronounce an opinion upon their comparative merits. —Ed. L.T.]