[ 252 ] 



Utility of the Italian Mulberry Tree, and on making 

 Wine. By Joseph Cooper. 



kead Blarch 8th, 1808. 



Cooper's Point, Feb. 22d, 1808. 

 Respected Friend^ 



I received your note of 16th, two days past. I 

 searched but cannot find a copy of the piece concern- 

 ing the Italian mulberry tree, but still remain of opini- 

 on, that the bark would answer well to make paper of 

 a superior quality, as the trees if properly trimmed will 

 produce a great number of shoots from 3 to 10 feet long, 

 the first summer, which may have the bark stripped off, 

 rotted like hemp or flax, and reduced into a matter re- 



This may be tried on the stocks of hedges, at no great trou- 

 ble or expence. li it succeeds, it will effectually guard 

 against the entrance oi horses, or cattle. On the Schuylkill^ 

 near Reading, I have seen large Button-xvood trees thus con- 

 nected. Whether iortuitously, or not, I cannot say. I have 

 a large hemlock, consisting of two distinct trees, which I 

 planted when a youth, in the same hole ; and twisted ai'ound 

 each other. They have completely embodied ; and appear 

 like one stock ; save that the spiral junction can be perceiv- 

 ed, on close examination. I have no doubt of its being 

 practicable to connect the plants of an whole hemlock hedge, 

 by approach-grafting ol some of the limbs, in imitation of 

 the Oxford experiment. In deciduous trees, there is more 

 probability of success. One horizontal string of limbs thus 

 engraited, would be sufficient. 



