CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 55 



year. By the time the rainy season has set in, the buds 

 will have produced bushy branches. Then you have the 

 dwarf mulberry tree. 



Some persons cut the slender branches, and leave one or 

 two strong ones. The following year the mulberry will 

 become a tree. Other persons lay the branches down in the 

 ground, and, in that manner one tree produces ten others; 

 that method is better than if whole trees were planted. 

 These layers never fail to succeed, and the trees they pro- 

 duce become bushy and flourishing. 



In the tenth month, (November,) the vitality of the tree 

 is suspended ; it is better to plant the mulberry trees, by 

 covering the top with earth. The whole stem of the tree 

 must be cut away, and planted, as in Autumn. 



In the winter months the sap descends. As soon as the 

 influence of the Spring is felt, they push together; and, in 

 the space of a year, the new shoots will exceed in height 

 the tree which furnished the cuttings or layers. 



When the mulberry trees of two years old are planted, 

 if at the period called Kou-yu, (20th April,) there should 

 be some buds and leaves, showing little vigor, the bottom 

 of the stalk must be attached to something solid, and all 

 the superior part removed, only leaving some inches of 

 wood, above the level of the earth. A small hatchet may 

 be used, but it is better to use a very sharp hedging bill, or 

 pruning knife. 



A hill of earth must be raised above the place where the 

 stalk has been cut; on the south side of the tree, five to 

 seven millet seed must be planted. At the expiration of 

 ten days the tree will begin to push, and small branches 

 grow from the buds. In dry weather water frequently. 

 After the time called Li-hia, (the 6th of May,) this method 



