290 VILLA GARDENING i-ART in 



round-headed plants, by trimming all side branches from the main 

 stems. 



Pruning. — After the foundation of the tree has been laid, 

 and it has started on its coiu-se with a straight main stem, the 

 only pruning necessary will be to remove a badly -placed branch 

 when required, and keep the growth evenly balanced ; and, in fact, 

 this is all the pruning required throughout its career. As the 

 fruit is borne on the young wood, it is necessary to keep this fact 

 steadily in view ; and in any pruning that may be required always 

 take care that plenty of young wood is left on. 



Where to Plant Mulberry Trees. — Select some cosy 

 sheltered nook on the lawn, and either plant in groujjs of three 

 or four, or a single specimen if no more are needed. A tree 

 so distinct in character and apjicarance deserves more attention 

 than it receives, and its fruit in sinnmer is very refreshing. The 

 Mulbeny should always be ])lanted on turf, as the fniit, when 

 ripe, will drop. If it falls on the bare earth it becomes soiled 

 and useless ; and usually it is the finest fruit which drops first. 

 On the soft clean gra.ss no harm will happen to the fruit if it 

 does fall. The Alulberry never really wears out in the ordinary 

 sense of the word. Old trees l>car the finest fruit, and I have 

 never known or heard of a ]\Iulljerry tree dying from old age. I 

 know of several of very great age, which are held together by 

 bands and tires of iron, and still bearing good crnps of fine fruit. 



The Barberry. — The red -fruiting stoneless Barberry is 

 frequently grown for its fruit, which makes an excellent preserve ; 

 l)ut the habit of bearing stoneless fruit does not appear to be 

 always a fixed principle, for occasionally the plants raised from the 

 stoneless variety i)roduce fruit with stones, especially when they 

 are young. When steadied by age the fruit generally is stone- 

 less. It is easily i)ro])agated from suckers or offsets, which 

 should be planted in the nursery for two or three years to get 

 strong. These Barljerries are very ornamental wlien planted in 

 groups on gently-rising knolls, within view of walk or drive. The 

 birds are fond of their fniit, so that all who wish to encourage 

 young birds in their grounds shoidd plant Barberries. A little 

 thinning and shortening back is occasionally necessary in order to 

 keep up a good supply of young wood, which bears the finest 

 fruit. The priming should not be done in a formal manner, but 

 be limited to the cutting out of a branch here and there, with the 

 view of encouraging a yoimg shoot to spring from its base and 

 keep up a constant renewal. The Barberry may also be increased 

 by layers in autumn. For certain positions plants trained as 

 standards are very ornamental, and this can easily be accomplished 



