ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 46 1 



forcing, though rarely used for this purpose. Gardeners are 

 advised to note its freedom in blossom in the early spring. 

 The Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a dwarf-growing shrub, 

 with small deep glossy green leaves ; in the early part of the 

 winter it carries an abundance of bright red berries. Rhaphiolepis- 

 iaponica (R. ovatd) is a shrub of medium growth, with ovate 

 deep green leaves and white fragrant strawberry-like flowers ; in< 

 the winter months its round black berries, which are carried 

 at the apex of the growths, are most attractive. It is a useful 

 shrub for forcing. 



Deciduous. — This is a delightful class and cannot be 

 dispensed with. The Thorns (Cratcegus) are familiar to all who 

 care for flowering shrubs, and their value cannot be over- 

 estimated. They are of easy culture, charming when in flower,, 

 and showy in autumn, when the leafless branches are heavily- 

 laden with richly - coloured fruits. They are of reasonable 

 price. The Cockspur Thorn (C. Crus-galli), C. Crus-galli 

 ovalifolia and C. prunifolia, are all very handsome. The brightly- 

 coloured berries are borne in large clusters with much freedom, 

 and remain on the trees until mid-winter. Apart from their 

 berries they deserve wider recognition on account of the rich 

 shades of crimson which the foliage assumes in autumn. 

 C. tanacetifolia (Tansy-leaved) is a robust-growing species, which 

 bears a profusion of yellowish-green fruits. C. Azarolus bears 

 heavy crops of orange-red berries, which are both distinct and 

 effective. C. Aronia (Aronia Thorn) grows freely in sandy soil, 

 and in autumn is very showy when laden with large yellow fruits. 

 C. coccinea, a free-growing North American species, carries a 

 wealth of bright red berries. C. Carrieri is one of the most 

 ornamental of the Thorns, and a thoroughly vigorous grower. Its 

 large orange-red fruits remain on the tree longer than is the 

 case with most Thorns. C. parvifolia is a charming small tree, 

 with greenish-yellow berries. C. heterophylla holds its deep red 

 berries until February. C. Douglasi, C. pinnatifida, C. mexicana, 

 C. punctata, and C. sanguinea are also good. 



The Barberries comprise several delightful shrubs. Berberts 

 sinensis thrives well in poor soils, and bears great quantities of 

 richly-coloured berries, which hang on the bushes for a long 

 time. B. aristata is an attractive winter shrub, with brownish- 

 red bark ; its red berries are borne freely. B. vulgaris asperma 

 is very showy in autumn, as its richly-coloured berries are borne 

 in great profusion. B. v. foliis-purpur'eus is, apart from its 

 pleasing purple foliage, very attractive by reason of its abundant 

 crops of berries in autumn. B. canadensis, B. macrocarpa, 

 B. virescens, and B. lycium should be included in a list of 

 select berry-bearing shrubs. The Spindle Trees (Euonymus) 

 are conspicuous towards the close of the year when their 

 brilliant-coloured capsules are hanging on the wiry twigs. The 



