56 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 



should be discontinued ; it is equally impossible to continue 

 it in very hot weather. 



In every month of the year, the mulberry trees can be 

 transplanted, except during the time called Ta-han, (which 

 commences the 2d of January, and ends the 4th of Feb- 

 ruary.) 



MANNER OF OBTAINING LAYERS. 



After the time called Han-chi, (the 5th of April,) a mul- 

 berry tree, more than two years old, must be taken ; a deep 

 furrow must be dug by the side of it, and the whole body of 

 the tree laid down and confined in that position by the help 

 of solid stakes. Small branches, which have germinated, are 

 left above the surface of the earth. Cover with earth the 

 large branches, and the stalk of the tree. All around the tree 

 a border must be made, with the earth, so as to form a kind 

 of funnel, to retain the water. In dry weather it ought to 

 be frequently watered. If a person has no tree fit for the 

 operation described above, they must be contented to dig a 

 furrow at the root of the tree, where the horizontal branch- 

 es must be buried, by fixing them in the ground, with the 

 assistance of crooked sticks. In the sixth month the whole 

 tree must not be buried. 



MANNER OF PLANTING MULBERRY TREES OBTAINED FROM LAYERS. 



Towards the end of Autumn, when the cultivators have 

 much leisure, deep square holes must be dug in advance, 

 where the earth preserves its dampness during the winter, 



