The Mazzard cherry is the stock upon which cherries are nearly always worked. It is simply a hardy and vigorous variety, with inferior fruit, of the common sweet cherry (Prunus Avium). Seeds of this are readily procured in this country. All varieties of cherries are worked readily upon it. The Mahaleb cherry is used as a stock for nearly all varieties when dwarf trees are desired. This is a distinct species, Prunus Mahaleb. The seeds or stocks are usually imported. This stock is adapted to heavy clay soils, while the Mazzard is not. The Mahaleb is not generally used in this country.
Morello (Prunus Cerasus) stocks will no doubt prove to be valuable in the northwest, where great hardiness is demanded. Seedlings do not sprout or sucker badly, but the natural suckers, which are sometimes used for stocks, are likely to be more troublesome in this respect. If strong-growing tops are worked on Morello stocks, however, there is usually little annoyance from suckering.
It is probable that some of the native American cherries can be used as stocks. The common wild red, pin or bird cherry (Prunus Pennsylvanica) has already been used to some extent. The sweet and sour cherries unite readily with it, and bear very early. It is yet to be determined how long the trees will persist, but there are trees known which are sixteen or eighteen years old, and which are still healthy and vigorous. The dwarf or sand cherry (Prunus pumila), especially the western form of it, gives promise as a dwarf stock.
Cherry stocks are worked both by budding and grafting. Budding is the common method. The stocks should be fit to work the season they are transplanted, or in the second summer from seed. Such as are too small for working then may be allowed to stand until the following year.
In the west, where great hardiness is required, the varieties are crown-grafted upon Mazzard stocks in winter. Yearling stocks are used, and the cions are from six to ten inches long. When planted, only the top bud should be left above ground. The cion strikes roots, and own-rooted trees are obtained.
The ornamental cherries are worked upon the same stocks as the fruit-bearing sorts. Mazzard is commonly used for all species.
Chervil (Chærophyllum bulbosum and Scandix Cerefolium). Umbelliferæ.
Seeds, sown much the same as celery seeds, but the plants are usually allowed to stand where sown. Seed is often sown in autumn.
Chestnut (Castanea sativa and var. Americana, and C. Japonica). Cupuliferæ.