1030 



ARBORETUM AND FRUT1CETUM. 



PART III. 



In the neighbourhood of London, the elder tree is much encouraged in 

 the hedges of market-gardens, and in places that could not be profitably 

 occupied by other fruit trees. There are also fields or orchards planted with 

 the elder in different parts of Kent, entirely for the sake of its fruit, which is 

 brought regularly to market, and sold in immense quantities for making wine. 

 The price of these berries is from 4*. to 6s. a bushel ; and the wine made 

 from them is much drunk in cold weather, in London, by artisans, &c., mulled, 

 as a cordial. It is also frequently brought to table hot, with strips of toasted 

 bread, in farm-houses, after supper, during the winter. 



The poetical allusions to this tree nearly all relate to mournful subjects, as 

 it was considered by the ancients to be emblematical of death and sorrow ; 

 probably, because it was said to produce a narcotic stupor in those who slept 

 beneath its shade, and sometimes to occasion death. It was also once sup- 

 posed to be the tree Judas hanged himself on. (See p. 658.) 



Soil, Situation, $c. The elder will not thrive except in a good soil, kept 

 somewhat moist ; and it will not flower and fruit abundantly, unless the 

 situation be open, and fully exposed to the light and air. The plant roots so 

 readily from cuttings and truncheons, that, where the soil is tolerably moist, 

 a plantation may be made at once, by the use of the latter, instead of em- 

 ploying rooted plants. 



Statistics. In the environs of London, there are some old elder trees in the orchards of farm- 

 houses, and in the hedges of market-gardens ; but we do not recollect to have seen any above 25 ft. 

 high. In Kensington Gardens, and also at Purser's Cross, are trees upwards of 30ft. high. In the 

 Horticultural Society's Garden, there are plants which, in 10 years, have reached the height of 30ft. 

 In Pembrokeshire, at Golden Grove, a tree, 30 years planted, is 25ft. high. In Rutlandshire, at 

 Bel voir Castle, one, 25 years planted, is 24 ft. high. In Scotland, in Haddingtonshire.atTynningham, 

 a tree, 100 years planted, is 18 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 10 in., and of the head 27 ft. In 

 Fifeshire, in Danibristle Park, 12 years planted, it is 12fL, and the diameter of the trunk 6 in. In 

 Ireland, in Fermanagh, at Florence Court, 40 years planted, it is 50 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 

 2 ft. 4 in., and of the head 30 ft. In Gahvay, at Cool, there is a tree 28 ft high, the diameter of the 

 trunk 1 ft., and of the head 22 ft 



& 2. S. CANADE'NSIS L. The Canadian Elder. 



Identification. Lin. Sp., 385. ; Don's Mill., 3. p. 436. ; Lodd. Cat, ed. 1836. 

 Engravings. Schmidt Baum., 2. t. 142. ; and our fig. 776 . 



Spec. Char., Sfc. Frutescent. Leaves 

 pinnate or sub-pinnate. Leaflets about 

 4 pairs, and an odd one ; oblong, oval, 

 stiffish, acuminated, more or less pu- 

 bescent beneath, sometimes appendi- 

 culated at the base. Cymes of 5 main 

 branches. Flowers said to be almost 

 scentless. Berries deep bluish black. 

 (Don's Mill., iii. p. 436.) A native of 

 North America, from Canada to Ca- 

 rolina, in swamps and near hedges ; 

 and throughout Canada, as far as the 

 Saskatchawan ; where it forms a 

 shrub, growing from 4ft. to 6 ft. high. 

 It was introduced in 1761, and flowers 

 from July till August. It is not un- 

 common in collections ; where it 

 forms a bush, in foliage resembling the common elder, but it is less hardy, 

 and never assumes any thing of a tree character. From the suflfruticose 

 character of the branches, and the comparative tenderness of the plant, it 

 is only fit for dug shrubberies in favourable situations. 



a. Species of Sambucus belonging to this Subdivision, not yet introduced. 



S. palmensis Link (Don's Mill., 3. p. 437.) is a native of the Island of Palma, in the Canaries, and 

 a species of which very little is known. 



S. rn.exicd.nn Presl, ,S. subalp"ma Cham, ct Schlccht., is a native of Mexico, with a suffruticose stem, 

 and leaves rather hairy beneath. 



S. peruviftna H. B. et Kunth, S. suaveolens ll'HM., has an arboreous stem, with white flowers and 

 black berries, like those of the common elder, of which it may possibly be only a variety. It is a na- 

 tive of Peru, on the Andes, in cultivated places, at the elevation of 4000 ft, where it grows from 12 ft. 

 t,,20ft. high. 





