68 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 



to the fig and mulberry trees may be the cause of its being 

 regarded as a species of sycamore. It grows on mountains 

 and stony places." 



In the work entitled Sse-nong-pi-yong, we read : 

 It is advantageous to graft the branches of mulberry trees 

 of Low, (large species of mulberry trees,) upon stocks of the 

 trees of Khing, (Dwarf mulberry trees.) 



In order that the graft may succeed, the time must be cho- 

 sen when the movement of the sap draws near, and with 

 strict regard to the parts brought in contact, and which must 

 be kept close together by the assistance of a strong ligature, 

 and enveloped with a thick plaster of grafting clay or com- 

 position, so that they may not be displaced or exposed to 

 the frost. The ten days which precede the term called 

 Tchun-fen, (21st of March,) is the first favorable time for 

 that operation ; the five days that precede or follow, form 

 the limitation (or the second period, which is less favorable 

 than the first ;) but the most favorable time is that when the 

 eyes of the branches have taken a black tint. This rule 

 ought to be followed in all climates; but clear weather and 

 a warm day is required. If the union of the parts be not 

 very close, the sap will find great difficulty in circulating 

 between the stock and graft ; if they are not bound together 

 by a strong ligature, the wind and cold will insinuate be- 

 tween them and prevent their uniting. The wild stocks 

 bearing small fruit of a disagreeable taste, after having been 

 grafted, will produce much larger fruit, and of an excellent 

 flavor. For similar reasons it has become the custom to 

 graft mulberry trees to improve the leaves. 



