230 HARDY SHRUBS. 



by grafting on the strong growing varieties, and also on some species 

 of Rhododendron. This IB done in Winter and also when the growth is 

 ripe later in the year. Some of the strong growing forms, especially 

 those having single white and red flowers, are, however, hardy, and 

 for planting out they may be propagated by cuttings. Plants raised in 

 this way have a more natural appearance than when grown as stand- 

 ards, in which shape they are usually imported. The cuttings should be 

 put in the sand of a cool propagating house by the middle of August; 

 the roots being small will need fine soil of a peaty nature for the first 

 potting. In this operation use clean thumb pots; put the pots in 

 water before using so as to absorb as much as possible. Instead of 

 placing the rooted cutting in the middle of the pot put it at the side; 

 this will facilitate rooting. At the next potting it is an easy matter to 

 have the plant in the center of the pot. In planting out-of-doors it must 

 be remembered that they will not stand drought, so they must not be 

 left to take care of themselves. The soil should be prepared to a depth 

 of at least 18 inches. It may consist of loam, leaf mould and sand, in 

 about, equal parts. The plants should be planted moderately close 

 together so that the foliage will keep the sun from the soil; but to 

 insure moisture they should always be mulched during Spring and Sum- 

 mer, and frequently watered during dry spells. Digging, or deep hoeing, 

 should never be practiced, as the roots are almost certain to be injured 

 thereby. 



BERBERJS THUNBERQI (Barberry). A Japanese species growing 

 from 3 to 6 feet high; by far the most ornamental of the deciduous 

 kinds. It is very symmetrical, seldom needing the aid of the knife to 

 keep it in shape. It loses its foliage in the late Fall, but during the 

 Winter and up till the time when the new leaves expand, the bushes 

 usually present a very pretty appearance from the small but very numer- 

 ous fruits. The readiest method of increase is from seed, which should 

 be collected when the leaves fall, gently rubbed between the hands to 

 bruise the covering, and sown in sandy loam, in shallow boxes, making 

 the soil firm. If placed in the cool greenhouse they will germinate uni- 

 formly, and by the end of the first year they should be over a foot high. 

 This is a species well adapted for ornamental hedge work. Another 

 species recently introduced under the name of B. Wilsonii bids fair to 

 become a popular ornamental hedge plant. 



B. vulgaris is the common Barberry. It has rather ornamental yel- 

 low flowers, in May or June, followed by bright red fruits, which re- 

 main on the bush during Winter. There are numerous varieties; one 

 named B. v. atropurpurea has purple-colored leaves. B. amureneis var. 

 japonica and B. sinensis are also good deciduous kinds. Among the 

 evergreen species B. Fremontii, while tender farther North, thrives well 

 here. It has small glaucous leaves. Increased by Fall cuttings in a cold 

 frame. B. stenophylla has small, simple leaves. B. acuminata, a 

 new evergr> en species, has a decidedly novel appearance. B. (Mahonia) 

 pinnata thrives here only in sheltered positions. B. (m.) japonica, B. 

 (m.) nepalensis, and B. (m.) aquifolium are all well-known evergreen 

 shrubs, thr ving in this section even in the most exposed positions. The 

 flowers are produced early in the season, followed by handsome clusters 

 of fruits which ripen during the latter part of May and June. The 

 plants are easily raised from seeds. 



