54 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 



THE MANNER OF PLANTING MULBERRY TREES IN AUTUMN. 



Mulberry trees are generally transplanted in the Spring ; 

 but, at that time of the year they are often shaken by the 

 wind ; the rains of the Spring, joined to the winds, make 

 it difficult for the mulberry trees to succeed. This is not 

 all : the weather becomes warmer by degrees, and the buds 

 and leaves cannot support the heat ; from these causes a 

 great number die ; or, rather, if they shoot out, a consider- 

 able space of time is required for them to acquire strength. 

 If the first stalk be pruned away, a second will push more 

 vigorously. The trees become flourishing from the first 

 application of the pruning knife. These happy effects of 

 pruning are, above all, remarkable in the dwarf mulberry 

 trees. 



In the Southern countries the plants are planted in the 

 tenth month, (November,) but to the north of the Yellow 

 river, the climate is extremely cold ; for that reason it is 

 better to plant them in the Autumn. The most favorable 

 period for that operation is that of abundant rains. The 

 squares ought to be a foot or more in depth. One or two 

 inches of stalk must be left, above the level of the earth, 

 the remainder being removed. After having finished plant- 

 ing, the earth must be well trodden about the roots of the 

 trees, and the place of the incision must be covered up with 

 earth. When the ground is frozen, spread a quantity of 

 manure around it. After the heat of the Spring, a hill of 

 earth must be made in the form of a funnel, or inverted 

 cone, around each tree, and above the manure. Rain water 

 may thus be collected about the plants; and, if it becomes 

 dry, they can be watered in the interior. On the south side 

 of the plants hemp seed must be sown in the spring of the 



