430 SHEPHKRniA AKOKNTEA. 



Vnrietij. S. A. FRfCTU lt'teo. Yclhnr-fniiltd Silvcnj-lcavcd S/irphejdia, said 

 to b(> found in tlie Kor.ky Moiintaiiis hy -Mr. NVyc^th. 



(fri><^niji/ii/ ft/Ill Hisliinj. 'V\\c Slit'ijlicrdia aigeiit(>a, in its native state, is 

 wholly confined to tlu^ northerly and western regions of North America. Dr. 

 Ricliardson observed it on the banks of the Saskatchewan, in hititnde fifty-fonr 

 dcLMTt'S : Major Long's party saw it growing near Rainy Lake, in about latitude 

 forty-nine degrees; antl Mr. Nuttall found it on the borders of Iia l*latle, on the 

 banks of the Missouri, which he considered as its southernmost limit. 



This species was first propagated east of the Rocky Mountains, in about the 

 year 1S2G, by Messrs. Winships, of Brighton, near Boston, in Massachusetts, by 

 a few seeds sent them from the banks of tlie Missouri, by Colonel Snelling. 

 From this source, probably, originated most, if not all, the cultivated plants at 

 present existing, both in Knrope and in the United States. One of the original 

 trees is now growing in their nursery, which has attained a height of nearly 

 twenty feet, and is still vigorous, and increasing in size. These gentlemen have 

 continued to cultivate this plant for the purpose of forming hedges, and rows of 

 tliem may be seen at this time, on many of the seats in the vicinity of Boston, 

 and in many other places in the northern states, where it thrives well. 



This tree was first introduced into Britain, in 1815, by Mr. Thomas Nuttall, 

 and kept in the green-house of the Liverpool botanic garden ; but, for the want 

 of proper management, it soon after died. It has since been re-introduced, and fine 

 specimens of it are to be met with in the London Horticultural Society's garden, 

 in the Twickenham botanic garden, and in numerous other European gardens 

 and collections. 



Soil, Propagation^ 6^*c. The Shepherdia argentea is perfectly hardy in every 

 part of Europe and of America, south of the fifty-fourth parallel of north latitude ; 

 and it will grow in any soil where our common orchard fruits will thrive. It 

 may be propagated from seeds, by cuttings, or suckers; and when trained to a 

 small tree, it is particularly well adapted for suburban gardens. When employed 

 as a hedge-plant, and kept down by the shears, it becomes close and compact, 

 and has the advantage of being thorny, green, or rather silvery, till late in 

 autumn ; and is not attacked by insects, nor is subject to any disease or bhght. If 

 cultivated for fruit, a male tree should be planted by the side of the female. 



Properties and Uses. Independently of the use of the shepherdia for the pur- 

 poses of ornament, its fruit makes an excellent jelly or preserve. Although 

 small, it is juicy, but not watery, is of a pleasant, subacid taste, mixed with a 

 sweetness, which renders it highly agreeable. Made into sweet jelly, in the man- 

 ner of currants, these berries are thought to be preferable to that fruit by most 

 persons who have tasted them. 



