CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 37 



next day the seed must be washed with care, and those that 

 float are rejected. 



The full seed must be dried in the sun, until the absorbed 

 water has entirely evaporated. They can then be sown, 

 and they never fail to grow rapidly. [Nung-sang-thong- 



The following passage is from the work entitled, S$&- 

 nong-pi-yong : 



New seed of the mulberry should only be sown. Old 

 seed must not be used, because it is in a great measure 

 barren. The most advantageous method is to sow it in a 

 very shady square, or to cover it with a kind of small roof, 

 in the form of a tent. The shade of hemp is not so favor- 

 able, that of millet still less so. 



Between each plant of the mulberry five to seven inches 

 must be left, and they must be frequently watered, until 

 they have attained the height of three feet ; then the hemp 

 must be cut. 



In the tenth month, (November,) they must be cut even 

 with the ground, dry grass is then spread over them, and 

 the whole burnt over. The fi[e must not be too strong, 

 because it will injure the roots. 



The place must be covered with decomposed vegetable 

 manure, until the following Spring ; afterwards the weeds 

 and grass so reduced to manure must be raked up, and the 

 plants watered. From each plant many shoots will come ; 

 the strongest must be preserved, and the others cut. 



When the mulberry trees have good roots, they do not 

 require the shade ; they must be frequently watered. 



In the autumn, the mulberry trees of Lou will be from 

 five to seven feet high, and those of Khing from three to 

 four. 



The mulberry trees of Lou may be transplanted and 





