BARBERRY. 69 



tain its strength when dried, and is mostly used green. See 

 Aromatic Herbs. 



BALM OF GILEAD. The buds of the Balsam or 

 Balm of Gilead tree, gathered in spring and put into bottles 

 with pure Jamaica spirits, are considered healing for bruises 

 and cuts ; the same decoction, taken by the teaspoonful 

 (put into a glass of water) before a meal, once a day, is said 

 to afford relief when the system has become enervated by 

 local difficulties. 



BANANA. The fruit of the West India Banana, if kept 

 on ice, and brought to the table, after being washed in cold 

 water, on grape-leaves, or a crimped napkin of undisputed 

 whiteness laid upon a glass dish, makes an occasional vari- 

 ety for dessert. Some people eat with it salt and pepper, 

 others prefer wine and sugar. 



BANDBOX. This indispensable and much abused ar- 

 ticle has improved in modern times. It now appears in 

 wood, fitted up inside with a pasteboard form, which is se- 

 cured by a slide for the hat or bonnet to rest upon. None 

 others should be generally patronized. 



BANTAM. See Fowls. 



BARBERRY, OR BERBERRY. The Barberry grows 

 wild in America and Europe. It is easily cultivated. 

 Trained to the single stem, the fruit grows larger, as the 

 suckers are apt to render the fruit small, and the bush finally 

 barren. It is grown from seed, layers, or suckers. There 

 are several varieties. The Common Red grows large by cul- 

 tivation in a rich soil. There are varieties of the common 

 Barberry in Europe which bear pale yellow, white, and pur- 



