228 



are generally produced freely from the roots. Cuttings of matured 

 wood may be struck in sand under a glass, but they are very uncertain. 



BREAD NUT, 



This name is applied to the fruit of a large evergreen tree known 

 as Brosimum A licastrum belonging to the Artocarpeae section of the order 

 Urticaceae. It is indigenous to the West Indies, and is allied to the 

 Bread Fruit. The fruit is the size of large Plums, and is used by the 

 negroes, when baked with salt, fish, or meat, and as a pickle. When 

 roasted the fruit has a similar taste to a Chestnut, and is both whole- 

 some and palatable. The leaves and young shoots are used to some 

 extent in Jamaica for feeding cattle, and are said to make excellent 

 fodder. An excellent timber is also obtained from this tree. This tree 

 will only thrive within the sub-tropics, but in regions that are suitable, 

 it is worthy of attention for its fruit, and also as a fodder plant. It is 

 also desirable as an ornamental tree. The Bread Nut will thrive in 

 any ordinary good soil, but prefers a rich deep sandy loam. Prop- 

 agation may be effected by the same means as recommended for the 

 Bread Fruit. 



BUFFALO BERRY 



HISTORY VND USES. 



This is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, known botanically as 

 Shepherdia arc/entea belonging to the natural order of Eleagnaceae. It 

 is indigenous to a considerable portion of North America, where its 

 fruit formerly, was greatly valued by the aboriginal Indians. In 

 some parts of America the fruit is more generally known as " Rabbit 

 Berry." The leaves are oblong, silvery white on both sides, and the 

 small yellow flowers are borne in the axils of the branches. There 

 are both male and female flowers borne on separate plants, the former, 

 or sterile ones, having a four-parted calyx and eight stamens. The 

 female, or fertile flower, has an urn shaped calyx enclosing an ovary 

 which develops into a round berry like fruit about the size of a 

 Currant. The fruit is in colour a dull red, and has a sprightly acid 

 flavour. It is borne in compact clusters, and ripens late in the 

 summer or autumn. The fruit is produced abundantly and makes a 

 very good preserve. It may also be used with advantage when fresh, 

 for pies and puddings. Another species Shepherdia canadensis also 

 yields an edible fruit, somewhat similar in appearance, but less acid 

 in flavour and rather insipid. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION 



The Buffalo Berry may be cultivated successfully for its fruit in 

 the cooler regions of Australia, and is well adapted for Tasmania and 



