48 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



in England, but a popular belief was entertained that it occasioned 

 a disease known as rust in wheat growing in its vicinity, and it was 

 consequently entirely removed. It is now known that this was no 

 mere superstition, but modern scientific investigation has proved that 

 the berberry rust and wheat rust are the alternate generations of one 

 species. Tiiat Puccinia gram inis and Oidium herheris are specifically 

 identical, thus confirming the opinion held by farmers, but rejected as 

 superstitious by most naturalists, except Sir Joseph Banks. The fruit 

 has a pleasant acid, and is largely used in Europe for preserves and 

 jellies. A celebrated conserve is made from a stoneless variety grown 

 at Eouen, France. 



Of the berberry proper there are four kinds, Common lied. Large 

 Red, Purple, White. The stoneless is sometimes considered to be a 

 distinct variety, and is propagated by layers, the others are usually 

 raised from off sets or seeds, the latter method being usually practiced 

 wdiere large quantities are required, as for hedges, &c. 



The berberry is an exceedingly hardy plant, withstanding the 

 rigorous climate of Ottawa, which makes not the slightest impression 

 on the smallest twig. In making hedges the plant need not be guarded 

 from cattle, as they do not appear to relish it as an article of diet. 

 As an adjunct to a board fence for the exclusion of boys from the 

 fruit garden and the orchard, its thorny stems would be of great 

 service. In the State of New Hampshire, where it has been extensively 

 tried, it is considered the best hedge plant in America. The berberry 

 grows best on a moist soil, but will do very well on a light sand, 

 though it is not perhaps so vigorous there. The best way to prepare 

 a hedge is to sow the seeds in a nursery, and afterwards plant out 

 where required. 



The berberry is a highly ornamental plant, both in flower and 

 fruit. In early summer the graceful weeping branches are covered 

 with the golden bloom, and in the autumn the shrub is ornamented 

 with clusters of coral-like berries on long racemes, which remain 

 attached to the boughs until the end of winter if not gathered. At 

 the approach of frost the leaves change to an orange scarlet color, 

 which greatly enhances the appearance of this beautiful plant. Be- 

 sides being hardy, it is a very quick grower, is long lived, easily trans- 

 planted, and will stand cutting well. 



(Concluded in next number.) 



