SASKATOON 



Amelanchier alnifolia Nuttall 



The saskatoon, service-berry, or June-berry, a northwestern species 

 of shadblow, belongs to the Apple Family, and is usually a bush six 

 or eight feet high, though when growing among other bushes it 

 sometimes attains a height of ten or fifteen feet. The fruits are borne 

 in heavy clusters, and when partly ripe are bright red, turning to pur- 

 ple when fully ripe. They resemble huckleberries in appearance, but 

 are disappointing in flavor, especially when cooked. They may easily be 

 gathered from horseback, and after a long ride are very refreshing. The 

 Indians ate them fresh from the bushes, and also dried them for win- 

 ter. In Lewis and Clarke's journal they are mentioned as being pound- 

 ed into a pulp by the Indians, formed into loaves, and dried. These 

 would keep sweet for the season and when needed, portions were 

 broken off and cooked in stews. Birds and bears also enjoy these berries. 



The saskatoon occurs in dry soil from Michigan to Nebraska and 

 Colorado and northward to western Ontario, British Columbia, and 

 the Yukon. 



The specimen sketched was obtained near the Horse Thief River, 

 one of the sources of the Columbia River in British Columbia, twenty 

 miles northwest of Athelmere, at an altitude of 3,000 feet. 



PLATE II7 



