60 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 



This manner of cultivating the enclosure is much more 

 advantageous than by a single person. Thus, at first, dou- 

 ble the number of mulberry trees may be planted ; after- 

 wards their mutual assistance tends to lighten a great deal 

 the individual labor. \Nong-tching-tsiouen-chou.] 



In the work entitled Sse-chi-lou'i-yao, we read : When 

 the mulberry trees are planted, it must not be at too great a 

 depth, otherwise they will not germinate. When they have 

 attained the height of one foot they ought to be surround- 

 ed with manure. 



TCHONG-HOA-MIN. 



Mulberry trees are planted in the first and second months 

 (February and March); they may also be planted in the 

 eighth month (September). The roots must be carefully 

 placed, in a straight natural position, and covered and sur- 

 rounded with compact earth to keep them steady. The 

 roots of the mulberry trees should be watered with liquid 

 manure ; they will not fail to grow with vigor. According 

 to the opinion of Siu-kouang-ki, manure must be used at 

 the time of planting. 



When the mulberry trees are to be planted, the ground 

 must be weeded and manured. The pruning of the stalk 

 is called Kia. 



Near the base of the tree branches of about one foot in 

 length must be left, and they must be deeply buried, leav- 

 ing only one inch above ground. The tree must be culti- 

 vated and made to grow by watering it. The place of the 

 cut turns black. It may be covered with a shell, or better 

 still, if done with wax, to prevent the rains of the fourth 

 month from penetrating the wood, and rotting it. The 



