SMITH, Jacob
Source:
Chicago Tribune Thurs 9 Jan 1862 p 1
Farm &
Garden – Editor Chicago Tribune: I saw in the last Weekly Tribune a
communication in relation to the Early Maycherry and seeing my name in
connection therewith I would throw what light on the subject I could and which
I do more cheerfully on account of the high opinion I have of that variety of
fruit. In the Spring of 1846 Jacob Smith of Putnam County, Indiana brought some
of the above mentioned variety of cherry to my father’s farm, 3 miles north of
Lockport west side of the Desplaines and grafted them on the common Morelic
stocks. They grew and bore well; but of the previous history of said cherry I
know nothing. Mr. Smith is still living two miles west of Lockport. He is at
present suffering from a severe wound from a fall but no doubt at a proper
time, would cheerfully communicate any facts he may be in possession of in
relation to the previous history of said cherry. I would add that nearly 16
yeares experience in cultivating the Early May has given me a high opinion each
succeeding year of its great merits, as well as superiority over every other
variety for this climate. I had one tree last June, two and a half feet high
which produced four large cherries and one of them 4” in diameter at the
ground, which produced one bushel. I would inculcate through your wide-spread
Tribune the absolute necessity of high culture for this cherry as a moments
reflection will teach any one that such enormous crops cannot be produced
otherwise. It is customary in this region to use the Morelle suckers for
stocks, which in turn fill the land full of suckers again to the great injury
of the tree. These should be cut down two or three times during the summer and
especially bluegrass and in fact all other grasses should be destroyed for a
wide space around each tree. I forgot to
mention that Mr. Smith has always called this cherry the Early May. I remember
distinctly the circumstance of Mr. Wakesman’s procuring the Early May at my
father’s place as he represented and of initiating the jolly sharp shuter in
the mysteries of propagating the same.
Yours Truly CM Brunson, Lockport, Will County Ill - kbz