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tor this reason the Elder should not be planted too near dwellings. 

 Medicinally, the flowers, berries, leaves, and bark, are considered to 

 be serviceable for certain complaints, though they are not in such 

 high repute as they were formerly. The berries at one time held 

 high rank among the remedies for fever, gout, rheumatism, and 

 cutaneous disorders. Both the berries and flowers act as aperients. 

 The berries are also reputed to possess narcotic properties to some 

 extent. The flowers are used as a fomentation and in the preparation 

 of cooling ointments. To a large extent they are also used by 

 distillation in the preparation of Elder flower water, which is a 

 popular application in cases of inflammation and cutaneous eruptions. 

 The bark of the Elder is strongly purgative, and was formerly 

 considered to be a sovereign remedy for dropsy. When boiled in 

 lard the leaves form a good unguent, formerly in general use by 

 farriers. They are not touched by horses or cattle, but sheep will 

 sometimes, eat them. They are obnoxious to many of the smaller 

 insects, and assist in keeping them away. Branches hung up in 

 dwelling-houses or stables will, to some extent, mitigate the pest of 

 flies in summer, and when placed about the heads of horses the 

 animals get great relief. An infusion of the leaves makes an 

 excellent insecticide for aphides, thrips, red spider, and mealy bug. 

 The leaves are also said to banish moles and mice and other vermin. 

 When young the wood of the Elder is brittle, but with age it 

 becomes hard and tough and can be utilized for various purposes 

 where these qualities are desirable. Owing, however, to the large 

 proportion of spongy pith, it does not take rank among timber trees. 



Other species whose fruits are utilized are Sambucus anstralis a 

 native of South America Scnnbucus canadensis^ (Canadian Elder) a 

 robust species indigenous to North Eastern America which is used to 

 make a wine, and has also valuable medicinal qualities. Sambucus 

 glfiuca is the Calif ornian Elder, a robust species which attains a 

 height of about twenty feet and is very prolific. The fruit is used to 

 some extent in its native country in the same way as the common 

 Elder. Sambucus Gaudichaiidiana an Australian species found in all 

 the colonies except West Australia, and Sombucus xanthocarpu, 

 indigenous to Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, yields 

 sweetish fruit that is eaten by the aboriginals. 



Though the Elder flourishes in many parts of Australasia, and 

 more especially in the cooler regions, yet its value seems to be 

 altogether ignored. Trees are by no means uncommon, and the 

 writer has come across very fine specimes in various localities, but 

 the fruit or flowers are seldom utilized as in Europe. As a rule it is 

 simply grown as an ornamental plant, and growers seem to have no 

 knowledge as to its economic? value. Possibly iir time it will receive 

 greater attention, and will be utili/ed as in other countries. 



CULTIVATION AXI> PROPAGATION 



The Elder will grow in any ordinary soil, and its cultivation is 

 very .simple. Prepare tin; ground as for other trees, and, if a regular 



