[ 17a ] 62 



This reasonable caution should be attended to, particularly with young 

 trees; for leaves are considered as the lungs of a plant or tree, and 

 mainly contribute, by the absorption of moisture, and the principle of 

 vegetation from the atntosphere, to promote their growth and vigor. 

 If deprived of these organs, annually, their growth will be greatly im- 

 peded. 



The people of Connecticut and Massachusetts are of opinion, that 

 trees only two years old, may be stripped without injury, provided 

 the leaves near the ends of the branches are left,* and the main stem 

 be not touched.! Count Verri recommends to pass the hands from 

 Jhe lower part of a branch to the top, and to pick the leaves in a bag, 

 the mouth of which is to be kept open by a hoop, with a hook to sus- 

 pend it. As practical rules, these directions are worth attention; but, 

 in observing the last, it is essential that the leaves be not bruised. 



The experiment was tried in Connecticut, of feeding worms with 

 young mulberry plants, the seeds of which were sown broadcast, and 

 the plants mown as wanted. The roots soon died. As the leaves of 

 such plants contain so much less nourishment than those of old trees, 

 the measure cannot be recommended, except for early food. 



To farm a Mulberry Hedge. 



Choose grafted mulberry plants of one year old, and place them 

 eighteen inches apart, in a furrow prepared some months before. To 

 these may be added grafted plants of two years old, which have grown 

 well, and which have been cut off to increase their vigor: but they 

 must be separated from the others, to prevent irregularity in the hedge. 

 Cut them at four or six inches from the ground, leaving two buds op- 

 posite each otlier: remove all the rest. In this way, the stalk has two 

 vigoroiis branches the first year. In the following spring cut one of 

 these two branches on the same side, at about one foot from the ground, 

 so that each plant has a short and a long one. Bend, horizontally on 

 the same side also, one after another, all the preserved branches, and fix 

 them with willow-withs, so that they may form a line parallel to the 

 earth, and leave untouched the entire branches. Experience has 

 taught, that, if their extremities be cut, they grow slowly, and even die. 

 At the commencement of the third year, the plants will have branches 

 to form a hedge. Then cut them about two feet from the ground, but 

 do not use the leaves. This plan has the following advantages: 



1. The mulberry plants being grafted, and well arranged, and those 

 of the first year being separated from those of the second, the hedge 

 will grow with force and regularity. 



2. The plants which have been cut down will push out near to the 

 ground, and furnish numerous branches: When a plant dies, replace 

 it by layers from an adjoining one; if a new plant be substituted it 

 rarely succeeds. The leaves from the layers must not be pulled dur- 

 ing the three first years. ± 



*Mr. E. WJUiarns, Mansfield, Conn. ; letter to the writer. Z. Stoirs, Esq. Ccnn. 

 ■j- George A. Tufts, Esq. Mass, 

 i Count Ven-i, Sur les Wuricrs- 



