CHAPTER XXI. 



PROMISING "WILD FRUITS WORTHY OF SOME 

 ATTENTION. 



272. The Dwarf Juneberry. — The dwarf Juneberry, shad- 

 bush, or service-berry [Amelancliier alnifolia), has become 

 quite popular where locally grown. In some cases in Iowa 

 it has been grown and marketed as high-bush huckleberry. 

 Indeed, Professor Bailey says, "They closely resemble' 

 large huckleberries.-" The Success variety has become 

 commercial and has been referred to another species 

 {A. botryatum), but grown side by side with selected native 

 varieties from Colorado, South Dakota, and other parts of 

 the arid States, the decision must be that they all belong 

 to the same species. It is really a neglected native fruit 

 of considerable value. Professor Card says of the fruit of 

 Amelancliier alnifolia : " Dark purple or blue, with bloom, 

 large, sweet, juicy. A valuable species for fruit or orna- 

 ment. " 



With several years' experience in growing the fruit, it 

 has been found that with proper pruning and culture the 

 size and quality are as much improved, as are the currant 

 and gooseberry, by good treatment. The best varieties 

 are very heavy annual bearers, and the only drawbacks at 

 present are that the fruit ripens unevenly and the birds, 

 if permitted, will take it as fast as ripened where grown in 



381 



