Fruit matures early; one inch in diameter, cordate to conical, compressed; cavity shallow, wide, flaring, regular; suture a distinct line; apex roundish, with a small depression at the center; color bright red over an amber-yellow background, mottled; dots very numerous, small, light yellowish, somewhat conspicuous; stem one and one-half inches long, adhering well to the fruit; skin thin, tender; flesh pale yellowish-white, with colorless juice, tender, somewhat melting, aromatic, mild, sweet; good to very good in quality; stone free, ovate, plump, with smooth surfaces. ROYAL DUKE _Prunus avium_ × _Prunus cerasus_ =1.= _Mag. Hort._ =9=:204, 205. 1843. =2.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 192. 1845. =3.= Thomas _Am. Fruit Cult._ 369. 1849. =4.= McIntosh _Bk. Gard._ =2=:543. 1855. =5.= Thompson _Gard. Ass't_ 530. 1859. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 12. 1871. =7.= Mas _Pom. Gen._ =11=:125, 126, fig. 63. 1882. =8.= Hogg _Fruit Man._ 311. 1884. _Royale d'Angleterre._ =9.= Christ _Obstbäume_ 159. 1791. _Cerise Royale._ =10.= Christ _Wörterb._ 284. 1802. =11.= _Cat. Cong. Pom. France_ 40 fig. 1906. _Königskirsche._ =12.= Truchsess-Heim _Kirschensort_. 422, 423, 424. 1819. _Ungarische Süssweichsel._ =13.= Dochnahl _Führ. Obstkunde_ =3=:51. 1858. _Anglaise Hâtive._. =14.= Mortillet _Le Cerisier_ =2=:161-163, fig. 42. 1866. =15.= Mas _Le Verger_ =8=:83, 84, fig. 40. 1866-73. =16.= _Pom. France_ =7=: No. 24, Pl. 24. 1871. =17.= _Guide Prat._ 17, 180. 1895. _Belle de Worsery._ =18.= Mortillet _Le Cerisier_ =2=:181. 1866. =19.= Mas _Pom. Gen._ =11=:39, 40, fig. 20. 1882. Royal Duke has a place in the cherry flora to follow in season the well-known May Duke and to precede another standard sort, Late Duke. It is so nearly like these two sorts, except in season, and so similar to Arch Duke, as well, that there is much difficulty in getting the variety true to name. It is more often taken for May Duke than for the other kinds named but it differs from this well-known sort in being a little later in season, and the cherries are larger, a little lighter in color, do not hang as thickly, being scattered along the branches, often singly, and are more oblate. The trees are markedly upright and the foliage is very dense. None of the Dukes are popular in America for market fruits and this is no exception though, among all, Royal Duke is as good as any--pleasantly flavored, juicy, refreshing and very good. The trees, too, are very satisfactory. The variety has a place in home orchards and for local markets. The French say that the tree makes a very weak growth budded on the Mahaleb and that it should be worked on the Mazzard, which is generally true of all Dukes. The buyer will have difficulty in getting the true Royal Duke in America.