70 BARBERRY. 



pie fruit, and which have the same properties as the com- 

 mon Barberry, differing only in color. There is a variety 

 from Austria, called Sweet, but which is almost as acid as 

 our common Barberry. The Common Red has a variety 

 which is seedless, and consequently desirable for preserves 

 and jellies, but it does not appear to be a permanent variety, 

 as the plants frequently bear fruit with seeds, and the suck- 

 ers always; and it is said, that, in order to guard against 

 this degeneration, the sort should be propagated by layers 

 or cuttings. 



The Black Sweet Magellan Barberry is an evergreen 

 from the Straits of Magellan, South America. It is rare, and 

 has borne no fruit in this country as yet ; but it is thought 

 it will prove hardy. It has yielded fruit in Edinburgh, said 

 to be handsome and excellent. 



The Nepal is a variety from Nepal, India, where it bears 

 a purple fruit, which is there dried in the sun, like raisins, 

 and used like them at the dessert 



The Mahonias, or Holly-leaved Berberries from Oregon, 

 are very handsome ornamental shrubs, with fine green 

 prickly leaves, and yellow flowers, but the fruit is of no 

 value. 



I am indebted for most of the above information to Mr. 

 Downing's pleasing and valuable work, Fruit and Fruit- 

 trees of America. 



There is a popular notion that the vicinity of Barberry 

 bushes is unfavorable to the growth of grain, but it is unsup- 

 ported by the weight of good evidence. 



The tannin principle is in the bark of the Barberry, and 

 it dyes, combined with alum, a bright yellow. 



BARBERRY JAM. 



Pluck from the stem barberries that are quite ripe, mash 

 them, and mix with them not quite a pound of good, clean 



