CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 47 



Moreover, the art of properly pruning the mulberry trees, 

 is one of the most important points for the raising of silk 

 worms. Many persons do not know how to make before- 

 hand the necessary preparations when the cessation of agri- 

 cultural work gives them leisure. They only occupy, them- 

 selves with the mulberry trees, when the season of tending 

 the silk worms, has overloaded them with trouble. In this 

 manner they are overcharged with double work, and often 

 the silk worms want necessary nourishment. If on the con- 

 trary, these mulberry trees have been pruned, according to 

 the rules, so that the branches can be easily reached, and the 

 leaves obtained with facility, the silk worms will not wait 

 for their food, the leaves will come in proper time, and, 

 moreover, they will be thick and glossy. 



The method used in the country of Thsin is called 

 lo-sang. In the last month of the year, (January,) all the su- 

 perfluous branches must be pruned away, and those that are 

 left be much thinned ; afterwards upon the branches that are 

 preserved, four eyes must be left, and the others picked off. 

 The next year the branches that were left will have become 

 strong; the black twigs which will have grown from the 

 middle of the eyes will be three feet in length ; the leaves 

 will be twice as thick as usual, and will present a smooth 

 and brilliant surface. During the raising of the silk worms, 

 they can be gathered with the hand ; the external branches 

 only, that shoot forth, must be left. After having grown 

 luxuriantly, until the Autumn, they will have obtained the 

 length of eight or ten feet. In the last month of the year, 

 (January,) they must be again pruned, as before. After 

 the expiration of several years, if the branches that have 

 been left appear to overload the tree, they must be pruned 

 at their base. 



This method is followed in the country of Lo-yang, to 



