252 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



branches rusty dull white, with many small thorn-like 

 branchlets ; fruit round, dull red, sprightly acid, agreea- 

 ble, borne in very compact clusters in the axils of the small 

 branches, as shown in figure 101. Ripens its fruit in early 

 autumn, or late in summer. 



Found on the banks of the upper Missouri, and other 

 large rivers of the Northwest. It is seldom seen in cul- 

 tivation, but it is really deserving of a place in every gar- 

 den. The plant is quite ornamental, in addition to its edi- 

 ble fruit, which is produced abundantly. The plant is very 

 hardy, and grows quite readily in almost any good soil. 

 The Shepherdia, being dioecious, it is therefore necessary 

 to plant one of each sex to obtain fruit; consequently, 

 those who may have occasion to send to the nurseries for 

 plants, shouljl be careful to order at least one of each kind, 

 although if several are to be planted in a group, one sta- 

 minate plant will be sufficient to fertilize a half dozen or 

 more pistillate plants. 



At the present time, the Shepherdia is not grown as a 

 market fruit, but the time may come when we shall see it 

 in our markets, and it is more than probable that new and 

 improved varieties will be produced by some of our enter- 

 prising fruit growers. The thorn-like character of its 

 small branchlets makes it a suitable plant for ornamental 

 hedges, and very probably it would be equally serviceable 

 as the Buck-thorn and other similar plants, for turning 

 cattle. It is well worthy of trial, and up to the present 

 time I am not aware that it has been subject to disease, or 

 attacked by any insect. 



PROPAGATION. 



Gather the berries when ripe, crush the pulp, and 

 wash out the seeds ; then sow them, or preserve in sand, 

 until the ensuing spring. The best method is, to sow the 

 seeds in drills soon after they are gathered, covering an 

 inch or two deep. Transplant when one year old into 



