80 THE JAPANESE WINEBERRY 
blossoms about midsummer, followed by vivid red— 
almost scarlet—berries about the size of those borne 
by our native blackberry. At fruiting time the early 
autumn winds agitate the trifoliate leaves so that the 
silvery under-sides contrast well with the upper green 
surface, and a large specimen is then a fine picture. 
Even in winter the bright red-purple stems are 
effective. | 
The berries have a very distinct flavour, sprightly 
sub-acid, and are much appreciated by many palates, 
though there are not a few that care little for it. The 
birds are all agreed as to its merits, so much so that net- 
ting is necessary to preserve the crop. The wineberry 
may be used for all purposes to which raspberries and 
blackberries are put. 
Well worked garden soil, no matter what its texture, 
seems to suit the wineberry well. Grown in a broad 
border, supported by a stout pole rising eight feet 
out of the ground, or in the pleasure ground planted 
in threes, and trained to form a cone or pyramid it 
combines beauty and utility. In the matter of general 
culture it requires similar treatment to that accorded the 
blackberry, remembering that if well manured it will 
grow strong and-bear heavy crops, when once 
established. 
