Berberis — Barberry. 1 1 5 



flowers are large and in terminal racemes three inches 

 in length. This species is claimed by some to be the 

 most beautiful of all the barberries, though not so widely 

 known and generally cultivated as some others. It is 

 found to be reasonably hardy in the Northern States. 



Another Japanese species, B. vircscens, was introduced 

 in this country in 1849, and, after long testing, was offered 

 by nurserymen in the market. The flowers are small, in 

 short racemes, and yellow tinged with green, the fruit 

 oblong, compressed, and purple-scarlet in color. The first 

 specimens brought to Europe came from an elevation of 

 nearly nine thousand feet above the level of the sea, and 

 the species ought to be hardy in any ordinary locality. 

 It is highly praised by those who know it best. The 

 many-flowered barberry, B. floribunda, is also a native 

 of Asia. Its yellow blossoms are in pendulous racemes, 

 in which they hang somewhat loosely, appearing in June. 

 They are pretty, though not especially striking. The 

 leaves are obovate, long, and tapering toward the base 

 almost to a point. The shrub attains a height of six to 

 ten feet. 



Thunberg's barberry, B. thunbergii, came from Japan, 

 and is a most valuable acquisition. Though not yet 

 largely distributed, it is to be found in not a few gardens, 

 and is everywhere looked upon with especial favor. It 

 is said that the Japanese prize it not only as the best of 

 its family, but also as one of their most charming plants. 

 The bush grows five feet, and has numerous slender 

 stems and branches, some of which are upright and 

 others almost horizontal or even pendulous, all being 



