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STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and it is glossy black when ripe. The accompanying picture shows a 

 spray a little over half size. The fruit in this specimen is small. Notice 

 the rounded teeth on the leaves, which are usually characteristic of these 

 forms of Morus alba. The Downing has a greater reputation than any 

 other variety, and this New American is often sold for it. In fact, the 

 true Downing is now rare in cultivation. But this point will be discussed 

 under the Downing, further on. 



Trowbridge and Thorburn. — I do not know the origin of these mulber- 

 ries. They are very like the New American, with a tendency, perhaps, 

 toward a sharper toothing of the leaves. Some good judges declare that 

 all three are alike, but I think that they are distinct. At least, I believe 

 that the last two are distinct from the New American. And there is some 

 reason for supposing that Trowbridge and Thorburn are distinct. A party 

 of botanists, to whom both varieties were new, were asked to pick and eat 

 fruit from the two kinds last summer. They agreed that Trowbridge is 

 slightly more acid than Thorburn and has more pronounced flavor. But 

 so far as I know, these two varieties possess no merits above the New 

 American'__^and they are little known. 



1. (a) The Eussian Mulberry Sub-group. — Morus alba var. Tatarica, 

 Loudon. {Morus Tatarica of Linnaeus. 



This is a hardy type of Morus alba which was introduced into our 

 western states during 1875-6-7 by the Russian Mennonites. It scarcely 

 differs from the type of Morus alba in botanical characters, and perhaps 

 should not be kept dis- 

 tinct, even as a botanical 

 variety. As commonly 

 seen, it is a low-growing 

 very bushy-topped, small 

 tree with small and much 

 lobed leaves. The fruit is 

 usually very small and 

 insipid, and varies from 

 creamy white to violet, 

 deep red and almost black. 

 The accompanying picture 

 of the Russian Mulberry 

 appeared in the American 

 Garden some two years 

 ago. It was made from a 

 specimen taken early in 

 the season from the Cor- 

 nell garden. The Russian 

 Mulberry is commonly 

 propagated from seeds and 

 it is therefore very vari- 

 able. A large-fruited or 

 distinct-growing form 

 often appears, and three, 

 at least, of these Lave been 

 named. They are descriVjed 

 below. 



Hnasian Mulberry. 



