HARDY SHRUBS. 149 



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

 of Rhododendron. This is 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. 



BERBERIS 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 

 numerous fruits. The readiest method of increase is from seeds, 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 germi- 

 nate uniformly, 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. 



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

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

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

 named B. v. atropurpurea has purple-colored leaves. B. amurensis var, 

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

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

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

 frame. B. stenophylla has small, simple leaves. B. (Mahonia) pinnata 

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

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

 thriving 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. 



