THE ORCHARD HOUSE. 



273 



flavour. It makes excellent tarts and pre- 

 serves. The plant is propagated by layers, 



Fig. 1059.— Bilberry, ($.). 



and may be grown in peat soil mixed with 

 garden mould. 



Berberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a deciduous 

 shrub, growing to the height of 7 or 8 feet, a 

 native of Britain and most parts of Europe 

 and North America. It is found wild in woods 

 and coppices in dry soil, and was formerly com- 

 mon enough in hedgerows, but is now every- 

 where banished from these in consequence of 

 the plant being very generally supposed to pro- 

 duce the rust on corn growing in its vicinity. 

 The fruit when ripe is acid and astringent, but 

 makes excellent preserves ; those made at Rouen 

 from the stoneless fruit are held in high estima- 

 tion. In a green state the berries are pickled 

 in vinegar. 



The Stoneless Berberry, supposed to be a 

 distinct variety, is produced by old plants 

 which have been propagated by layers. 



The Berberry may be raised from seed, but is 

 generally propagated by suckers taken off in 

 autumn, by dividing the plant, or by layering 

 the young shoots. The layers are frequently 

 two years before they make good roots, and 

 should be separated from the parent plant in 

 autumn. The plant will grow in any good 

 vol. ii. 



garden soil, but bears best in one that is rich, 

 light, and resting on chalk. All the culture 

 it requires is to remove suckers so as to leave 

 only a single stem, and to prune in all branches 

 that are inclined to straggle too far. 



The principal varieties are : Common Red, 

 Large Red, Purple, and White. 



Elder (Sambucus nigra), a low deciduous 

 tree, a native of Britain and other parts of 

 Europe, as well as of the north of Africa. The 

 berries are employed in making wine, of which 

 large quantities are consumed at Christmas, and 

 for the production of a jelly which is said to be 

 useful in cases of severe cold and sore -throat. 

 Elder-flower water, which is used for flavouring 

 confectionery and as a lotion for the skin, is 

 obtained from the flowers; and the whole tree 

 is held in great estimation by country people 

 for its medicinal properties. 



Besides the common sort with black berries, 

 there is a variety with green, and another with 

 yellow fruit, but these are chiefly planted for 

 ornament. 



The Elder is propagated with great facility, 

 either by seeds sown in autumn or spring, or by 

 cuttings. The latter method, being the most 

 expeditious, is that usually adopted. The cut- 

 tings may be made any time between the end 

 of October and the beginning of March; they 

 should be taken off immediately below a joint, 

 and may be 1 foot or 18 inches in length. 

 They should be inserted to about half their 

 length in the ground, where they soon strike 

 root, and in the following year are fit for being 

 finally planted out. If the trees are to be 

 grown as standards, they may be planted 20 

 feet apart; sometimes, however, cuttings are 

 put in 1 foot apart, so as to form a hedge. The 

 Elder will grow luxuriantly in any good garden 

 soil, and is not particular as to situation; but a 

 sunny spot is preferable, where good fruit is re- 

 quired. Beyond the removal of suckers when 

 the trees are young, and helping it to form a 

 regular head, no other culture is required. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE ORCHARD HOUSE. 



Soil — The Flowers — Summer Treatment — Autumn 

 Treatment — Insect Pests — Lists. 



The Orchard House is the latest development 

 of fruit-growing under glass, and it is chiefly 



59 



