216 



BAEBERRY. 



to other fruits that can be 

 as readily grown. As orna- 

 mental plants, however, 

 they are well worthy of 

 cultivation, and possibly 

 .some people might like to 

 grow them for the double 

 purpose. They are very 

 hardy, will thrive in many 

 parts of Australasia, and 

 more especially in the cooler 

 regions. Any of the species 

 will readily adapt themselves 

 to various kinds of soil, 

 though, as a matter of 

 cours^, they will flourish 

 more in good than in poor 

 land. They may be intro- 

 duced with advantage to 

 any garden, and are very 

 effective ornamental plants 

 when growing in the front 

 of shrubberies. Plants are 

 readily obtained from layers 

 or cuttings. The former will 

 root freely if the branches 

 are layered in the spring. 

 Cuttings strike readily in 

 light soil, in the open gronud 

 if put in before the spring 

 growth commences. Pro- 

 pagation may be readily 

 effected by suckers which 

 are generally produced freely from old plants and also by seeds. 

 Seeds should be sown as soon as possible after the berries are fully ripe, 

 covering them half an inch deep. 



Plant showing Flower and Fruit. 



BARBADOES GOOSEBERRY. 



This name is applied to Peiresh'a aculeata {Cactus Peireskia), a 

 plant belonging to the Cactacea or Cactus family. It is a native of 

 the West Indies, and differs from other genera belonging to the same 

 order, in having woody branches and proper leaves. In habit of 

 growth the branches have a tendency to trail, or they may become 

 climbers under favourable conditions, and, again, the plants may 

 be shrubby. The branches are round, and furnished with thick flat 

 leaves, more or less covered with stiff spines. The fruit attains the 

 size of a large Gooseberry, and has a juicy pleasant flavour. It is 



