138 

 CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



The Monstera can be cultivated from tropical to medium warm 

 regions in well sheltered situations. It will do well in the greater- 

 part of Queensland, the northern coast river districts of New South 

 Wales, and other regions having somewhat similar climatic conditions. 

 It requires a rich open soil where its roots can penetrate deeply in 

 search of moisture. When the soil is suitable the roots will make 

 their way for a considerable distance from the stem. As the plant 

 is a climber it must have a support, one of the best being the trunk 

 of a dead tree. But this kind of support is not always available, and 

 more especially in making a regular plantation. Stout posts about 

 nine inches in diameter and eight or nine feet long will, however, 

 make very serviceable supports, if firmly fixed in the ground. Posts 

 with forks or branches will, as a rule, prove more serviceable than 

 plain ones. A somewhat shady situation during the hottest part of 

 the day is most congenial to the Monsterct, as when fully exposed the 

 foliage is apt to get burned and injured. Therefore, artificial shade 

 should be provided when it cannot be had naturally. Planting 

 should be done late in the summer or early in the spring. The 

 young plants should be fastened to their supports at first, but the 

 fBrial roots will soon take a firm hold. The plants are prolific;, and will 

 generally begin to bear regular crops in three or four years. It takes 

 a long time for the fruit to reach perfection, as the crop of one season 

 does not ripen till the next one. The plants, when growing under- 

 favourable conditions, will bear freely for many years. In addition 

 to the value of the Monstera as a fruit-producing plant, it is very 

 ornamental, and worthy of cultivation on that account in suitable 

 localities, and also as a pot plant in colder regions. Propagation is 

 usually effected by layers, formed by simply placing stems upon the 

 sin-face of the ground. These will throw out roots at nearly every 

 joint, and nothing more is necessary than to cut through the stems 

 and lift the young plants when they are ready for removal. 



MULBERRY. 



HISTORY AND USKS. 



The Mulberr}?- is known botamcally under the name of Morus, and 

 belongs to the natural order Urticaceae, or the Nettle family. Morus 

 comes from the Celtic mor, and signifies black, in allusion to the 

 colour of the fruit of the common Mulberry. The family embraces a 

 large number of species, which are widely distributed, representatives 

 being found indigenous to Australia, China, India, Japan, Mauritius, 

 Persia, Tartary, Turkey, North America, and South America. Most 

 of these are deciduous trees, but some few are evergreens. 



The only species that is generally cultivated for the sake of its 

 fruit is the English, or Black, Mulberry, a tree familiar to everyone,. 



