eat and grit--and it should be sheltered from the strong winds,
otherwise its top-heavy flower stalks will be laid prostrate. When it
once finds a happy home it increases fast; the thick stalks are
procumbent and emit roots. These may either be left to form large
specimens or be taken off during the growing season for stock. Excessive
wet is its greatest enemy. For such subjects, the wire and glass
shelters are not only a remedy, but very handy.

Flowering period, summer, until stopped by frosts.

Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea.

RED WHORTLE-BERRY; _sometimes called_ COW-BERRY; _Nat.
Ord._ VACCINACEAE.

Although a native evergreen, and in some parts occurring extensively, it
proves to be both decorative and useful as a garden subject; as a neat
evergreen it is worthy of a place, especially when it is not to be found
near in a wild state. It is seldom seen without either its waxy and
pink-tinted white flowers or its bright clusters of red berries, but in
October it carries both, which, together with the fine condition of the
foliage, renders the shrub most attractive. It grows 6in. to 9in. high
under cultivation.

In form the flowers somewhat resemble the lily of the valley, but they
are closely set in the stems and partly hidden, owing to the shortness
and drooping character of the racemes; not only are the flowers
pleasingly tinted, but they exhale a full and spicy odour; the buds,
too, are tinted with a lively pink colour on their sunny sides. The
berries are quickly developed, being nearly the size of the holly berry,
but a more bright red. The leaves are stout, shining, and leathery, and
ofttimes pleasingly bronzed. They are over 1/2in. long and egg-shaped,
being bent backwards. The stems are furnished with short hairs, are much
branched, and densely foliaged. This compact-growing shrub would make a
capital edging, provided it was well grown in vegetable soil. It would
go well with _Erica carnea_ to form a double line, either to a shrubbery
or permanent beds of dwarf flowering trees. Now that berries are so much
used for wearing about the person and for indoor decoration, those of
this shrub may become useful. A dishful of sprigs in October proves
pleasant both to the sight and smell, the flowers and fruit being
charmingly blended.

[Illustration: FIG. 108. VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA.

(Natural size.)]

_V. v.-i. major_ is a variety which is simply larger in all its parts;
it is, however, rather more bronzed in