6 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOOIST. 
[January, 
plant, it is probably without a rival. Though not a rapid grower, it thrives in a 
warm stove temperature under the treatment usually given to the less robust of 
choice woody stove plants.—T. Moore. 
BEKRY-BEAEING PLANTS. 
HERE are few plants more welcome than these for purposes of winter 
decoration, and they have the additional attraction to many of being 
easily cultivated. We have many hardy trees and shrubs in our gardens 
which are strikingly handsome in fruit, and although theirdruit does not, 
botanically speaking, come under the term here employed as a heading, still it is 
sufficiently precise for all practical and ornamental purposes. As out-door berry- 
bearers, I may instance the Arhutus^ a shrub of which, in the Brompton Cemetery, 
is now covered with fruit; and these being of a bright orange, tinged with bright 
red or scarlet, are very effective as seen contrasted with the dark glossy foliage. 
Hollies^ Snowherries^ and Yews are too well known to need much comment, while 
Aucuhas^ if a little care and attention be given them when in flower, may be made 
very fruitful even out of doors, while in pots for cool conservatory or drawing-room 
decoration they are strikingly beautiful. Even without fruit they are among the 
best of all plants for the winter decoration of window-boxes and balconies outside 
town houses. If fruit is desired on bushes planted outside, it is necessary either 
to place a male plant in flower in close contiguity when the female plants are 
blooming, in order that they may be fertilised, or a branch of a male plant can 
be grafted on to the female, so as to serve the same purpose. Growing the male 
plants in pots is, however, the best plan, as then their season of blooming is more 
under control, and can be more readily regulated to suit the blooming season of 
the females. 
Several species of Berheris fruit freely, and form noble objects on the margins 
of lawns or in the shrubbery borders. B. Aquifolium bears dense clusters of 
purple berries covered with a beautiful blue bloom ; and its still more effective, 
deciduous congener, B. vulgaris^ bears elegantly-drooping clusters of scarlet 
berries, useful either for grouping along with autumnal foliage, or for preserving 
in syrup for garnishing purposes. Many of the large-fruited species of Cratcegiis^ 
Pyrus^ and Cydonia japonica are amongst the most effective of out-door decora¬ 
tive plants, especially during the few bright sunny weeks in autumn, when the 
foliage is changing from green to gold. The last-named plant, and the Cotone- 
asters, such as C. microphylla and (7. Simonsii, are well adapted for covering the 
bare front walls of town houses. 
Mr. Barr kindly gave me a hint the other day, the worth of which is simply 
invaluable to those who are interested in the culture of plants in towns :— 
“ Always choose plants with bright, glossy foliage, as they do not retain the soot 
and other mechanical impurities of a city atmosphere, and are washed clean by 
every passing shower.” Inattention to this simple rule has been the cause of 
disappointment to many town planters, especially with respect to evergreen 
shrubs and conifers. 
