1j6 MOKL6 MM\. 



four poniuls to a nibic foot. In France, the principal uses of that of tlio trunrf, 



is tor various pui|to.s('s ot" tunicry, and carpentry, aiiil lor th(^ inaicin^ of wiiie- 

 casivs, tor which it is higlily rahicd, as it is said to impart an agreeable, violet- 

 hke flavour to white wines. The brandies arc used lor vine-props, posts and 

 rails to rural fences, and for fuel. The bark may be converted into linen, of tiie 

 fineness of silk. For this purpose, the youiii; wood is ij^athered in August, during 

 the second ascent of the sap, and iinincrsed for three or four days in still water. 

 It is then taken out, at sunset, spread on tlie grass, and returned to the water at 

 sunrise. After repeating this process daily for some time, it is fmally taken out, 

 dried, and prepared like flax. The bark is also used like that of the Furopcan 

 lime-tree, tor making bast for mats, cScc. The bark, and more especially the 

 leaves of the white mulberry, abound in a milky juice, which is found to possess 

 more or less of the properties of caoutchouc, according to the climate in which 

 the tree is grown. It is doubtless owing to this property in the leaves of 

 the mulberry, that the cocoons of tiie silkworm have so much more tenacity of 

 fibre than those of any other insect that feeds on the leaves of trees. Hence, also, 

 the silk, like the tobacco and wine of warm climates, and of poor, dry soils, is 

 always superior to that produced in colder climates, and from rich and moist 

 soils. To verify this opinion, we quote the following very judicious observations 

 from the "Journal d' Agriculture des Pays-Bas," which will not only show the 

 impracticability of profitably raising silk in the higher latitudes, but will serve as 

 an infallable guide in the choice of a soil and climate for this species of culture : 

 'The mulberry-tree is found in diflerent climates; but the juice of the leaves 

 grown in the north is much less suitable for the production of good silk, than that 

 of the leaves of the south. In this respect, mulberry leaves and silk differ as 

 much as wines, according to the climate and soil in which they are produced. 

 In general, every climate and soil that will grow good wheat will produce large, 

 succulent mulberry leaves; but these leaves will, in many cases, be too nutri- 

 trve; that is, they will have too much sap, and too much substance and succu- 

 lency. The wild mulberry, with small leaves, answers better, for such a soil, 

 than the grafted mulberry, with large leaves. A general rule, and one to be 

 depended OU; is, that the mulberry, to produce the best silk, requires the same 

 soil and exposure that the vine does to produce the best wine. Experience has 

 proved that silkworms nourished by leaves gathered from a dry soil, succeed 

 much better, produce more cocoons, and are less subject to those diseases which 

 destroy them, than those which have been nourished by leaves produced by an 

 extremely rich soil." The fruit of the white mulberry is less acid than that of 

 the black species, and that of some of the varieties, particularly of the Morus a. 

 multicaulis, is used for making robs and syrups, and is said to be remarkably 

 good to eat, in warm climates. 



