A CLUSTER OF BERRIES 149 



properly to the Prunus spinosa. It has not the pleasing 

 qualities of the hawthorn "haws." The Viburnum, how- 

 ever, is considered very valuable medicinally, being a 

 nervine and tonic.) 



THE SERVICE BERRY (.Malacece) 



The Service or " Sarvice " Berry, is of interest in a peculiar 

 way to Americans, in connection with the Mormons, who 

 have for it a real affection since in their earlier days, when 

 hardships and privations were continual, the Service Berry 

 provided sometimes their entire food. Even when this ex- 

 treme condition did not prevail the Service Berry constitu- 

 ted a^olid food value which Utah will not forget. The New 

 International Dictionary gives perhaps the best and most 

 concise description of what otherwise might be a confusing 

 matter, so connected are various forms of the Service Berry 

 or Service Tree. "Service Berry: A name given to 

 several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus 

 domestica, and Pyrus torminalis, the various species of 

 mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American Shad-bush. 

 They have clusters of small, edible, apple-like berries. In 

 British America the name is especially applied to that of 

 several species of the shad-bush." "Shad-Bush: (Bot.) 

 A name given to the North American shrubs or small 

 trees of the rosaceous genus Amelanchier {A. Canadensis , 

 and A. Alni folia). Their white racemose blossoms open 

 in April or May when the shad appear and the edible ber- 

 ries (pomes) ripen in June or July, whence they are called 

 June Berries. The Plant is also called Service tree and 

 June Berry." Thus the connection is shown between 

 the foreign Service Tree (of which the Sorb is a variety) , 

 the American Mountain Ash, Shad Bush, and Service 

 Berries, and the romantic Scotch Rowan. The spotted 

 fruit of the Sorb is improved by keeping, and in a mellowed 



