40 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 



The next year, the branches must be cut even with the 

 ground ; the leaves serve to feed the silk worms. A steel 

 hedging bill, with a thick back, must be used, which cuts 

 the branch by a single stroke. The irregularities must be 

 smoothed, and the cut made even, when the instrument is 

 dull and cannot cut the branches by a single stroke. The 

 rain injures the roots. The stalk of the dwarf mulberry 

 trees must not come out of the ground ; they ought to 

 push from below the surface of the earth. 



Those of which the stalks are above ground, are called 

 khio-kao, that is to say, as high as a foot. The branches 

 that shoot above the stalk are not strong, and moreover, it 

 is seldom that they are not injured and broken by the rain 

 and wind. 



Below the cut place, several shoots spring around the 

 stalk. Four or five branches may be left to each plant, 

 and all the others pruned away. Every year the tree 

 must be cut even with the ground. By degrees the root 

 will become strong and vigorous; a greater number of 

 branches may be gradually left. 



In regard to the stalks of wild mulberry trees of the 

 country of Low, they can be planted as the others ; they 

 succeed equally well with the others ; the above mentioned 

 rules are to be strictly followed. At the expiration of 

 three years, a mulberry tree will be in full growth ; at the 

 end of five years the roots interweave. The interlacing of 

 the roots is injurious to its vigor. In the spring the inter- 

 woven roots must be cut, and manure put at the root of the 

 tree. As soon as it has been watered, and moistened by 

 the rain, it resumes its growth and vigor. Afterwards, 

 when the roots are supposed to be enlarged, the branches 

 must be bent down to the ground, and plants are obtained 

 by layers, that must be transplanted to another enclosure, 



