142 FRUIT RECIPES 



THE ELDERBERRY 



The elderberry is one of the richest of the whole collection 

 of berries in legendary lore, in mystical and practical 

 charm, each part, from roots to flowers, giving out some- 

 thing of value as food or medicine, being possessed of 

 indisputable medical properties, of remarkable qualities 

 for flavouring or colouring, and as a food — in jelly, jams, 

 etc., or wine, having unique elements of excellence. 



The elder, or Sambucus, belongs to the Natural Order 

 CaprifoliacecB, or Honeysuckle Family, and its name, 

 Sambucus, seems a fit one throughout the centuries, since 

 it was taken from the old Greek name for one of the ancient 

 musical instruments and it has been much used in Scot- 

 land and England for the manufacture of certain music- 

 giving instruments, while boys all over the world know 

 its inestimable value for whistles, and for pop-guns, or 

 "pipes." Tradition says that it was once a tree but 

 cursed and dwarfed by the hanging of Judas upon it. 

 Other tradition goes further in claiming it as that of 

 which the Cross was made, and even the mistletoe cannot 

 lay greater claim to these storied reasons for being 

 stunted. 



The Sambucus ebulus, or Dwarf Elderberry, rather rare 

 in the British Isles and almost unknown in America, 

 possesses strong characteristics which make it desirable 

 to avoid save under medical direction. In America the 

 red-berried elder {Sambucus pubens) grows only in 

 rocky woods of the more northern portions, but the black 

 elderberry commonly known (5. Canadensis), with its 

 striking, graceful clusters of flowers or fruit, is quite cos- 

 mopolitan (though, like the red-berried elder, masquerading 

 under various nicknames,as "bourtree"), the black varieties 

 being virtually the same. 



However unbelievable may be the many traditions and 



