The Barberry 389 



The plant deserves praise as an ornamental, but as a 

 fruit-producing plant it is of doubtful value. The fruit 

 is very sour, somewhat resembling the true cranberry. 

 It is used to some extent as a substitute for it, and makes 

 good sauce or jelly, though too astringent to suit some 

 palates. The large size of its seeds is a serious objection 

 to its use for fruit. These are single hard stones, which 

 seem to make up the greater part of the fruit. Except 

 for this it might have value in some localities. Its fruit 

 falls in much the same class as that of the barberry and 

 the buffalo berry, though not so pleasant as the latter. 

 Its name, tree cranberry, is a standing temptation to 

 smooth-tongued agents to recommend the plant as a sat- 

 isfactory substitute for the cranberry, suited to upland 

 soils and regions in which the cranberry does not succeed. 

 In such cases it must prove a disappointment, though 

 worthy of praise for the purposes to which it is adapted. 

 The plant is perfectly hardy, so far as cold is concerned, 

 and can be grown in almost any soil or location. It may 

 be propagated by layers, by hard-wood cuttings, or by 

 seeds, though the latter require two years for germination. 

 The plant is much subject to the attacks of plant-lice, 

 which often cause its leaves and young shoots to curl 

 and grow distorted. This seriously injures the appear- 

 ance of the plant in seasons which favor the spread of 

 these pests. 



THE BARBERRY 



Unlike many of the fruits which we have been consider- 

 ing, the barberry has once been popular and has since 

 declined in favor. It may, therefore, be appropriate to 



