98 



covered an inch and a half deep, or layers put down early in the spring 

 or late in the autumn. 



HAWBERRIES. 



Though they are not " berries " according to strict botanical rules, the 

 writer has taken the liberty of coining the tern) 4 ' Hawberries " for the 

 fruits of various species of Cratcegus, as it is expressive and more 

 euphonistic than the word " Haw r s." The Cratcegus belongs to the 

 natural order Rosacere, and most of the species are more familiarly known 

 under the names of Hawthorn, Quick, and Whitethorn, and they are 

 chiefly used as hedge plants, for which they are admirably adapted, being 

 low in growth and liberally furnished with strong thorns or spikes. The 

 fruit of all the kinds is edible, but as regards most of the species it is too 

 small and insipid to have any commercial value. Several species, 

 however, bear larger and more serviceable fruits, which are utilized more 

 or less. Cratcegus Azarolus, a species indigenous to South Eastern 

 Europe and Western Asia, yields somewhat large, meally, and pleasantly 

 acidulous fruit, which is utilized in a fresh state and also for preserving. 

 The fruit of this species is used to some extent in Italy under the name 

 of " Azarole.'' In the United Kingdom it is commonly known as the 

 "Welsh Medlar." Cratcegus cestwalis, a species indigenous to the 

 eastern portions of the United States, produces rather small but juicy 

 and palatable fruit having an acid flavour. This fruit in America is 

 commonly known as the "Apple Haw." Cratcegus Aronia, a robust 

 bushy species, widely dispersed through Southern Europe and Western 

 Asia bears large, palatable, fleshy, deep red fruit. Cratcegus Me.xicana 

 (Mespilus Mexicana) is a handsome shrubby species from Mexico, with 

 edible fruit about an inch long. All the species of Cratcegus, with one or 

 two exceptions, are deciduous shrubs or small trees, and most of them 

 bear white flowers, though in a few cases the blossoms are purple, pink, 

 crimson, or scarlet, and there are varieties with double flowers. Any of 

 the species make serviceable ornamental plants, and when in bloom are 

 specially attractive. They are best adapted for cool and comparatively 

 moist regions, and will thrive in any ordinary good soil. Propagation is 

 easily effected by seeds, which should be sown in the autumn or early 

 winter, covering them an inch deep. Cuttings strike freely if put in 

 early in the spring, and plants can be obtained readily from layers put 

 down at the same period of the year. If necessary, species and varieties 

 may also be propagated by budding and grafting. Various species of 

 Cratuegus are sometimes used as " stocks," upon which Apples and Pears 

 are grafted, but the practice is less common than it was formerly. These 

 " stocks " have a dwarfing tendency, and generally speaking are less 

 durable than Apples or Pears. 



HAZEL. 



HISTORY AND USES 

 This plant yields the small nuts known respectively under the names of 



