141 



but it thrives best in a rich deep loam. Though no * garden i 

 complete without this fruit, vet, as it only lasts for a short season, a 

 few trees will generally be sufficient for practical purposes. The 

 trees are very vigorous, and will extend their roots a considerable- 

 distance, and, consequently, care must be taken that they are not too- 

 near to other trees. If they are within range of less robust trees 

 they become great robbers when they get large. In planting let the 

 ground be well loosened, and provide for drainage when necessary.. 

 Planting may be done at any time between the fall of the leaf and 

 August. For the first few years the trees will require care in 

 keeping down weeds and mulching, but when they get large they 

 require but little attention in these respects. Young trees must be 

 pruned and trained so as to promote strong growth and obtain well- 

 formed specimens as soon as possible. The fruit of the Mulberry is- 

 borne upon the young growth, as also upon spurs from older wood. 

 Mature trees require but little pruning as a rule, all that is necessary 

 being to remove rank shoots or misplaced branches and to thin out 

 the wood when too crowded. Root pruning will sometimes have a 

 beneficial effect in tne case of over-luxuriant trees that do not bear 

 freely. Before the ripening period it will be advisable to cover the 

 ground as far as the branches extend with clean grass, straw, or some 

 other material, so that when the fruit falls it will be kept clean. 



PROPAGATION. 



Propagation with all classes of Mulberries may be effected by seeds,, 

 cuttings, layering, grafting, and budding. Seeds are but seldom 

 used, as trees can be raised so much quicker by other means. They 

 should be sown early in the spring in light rich soil, covering them 

 about a quarter of an inch deep. Cuttings strike very freely, and, 

 as branches of any size will root, large trees may quickly be obtained 

 by this means. It is no uncommon thing for branches ten or twelve 

 feet long to be struck without difficulty. Ordinary cuttings are 

 usually selected from the last season's wood, shortened to about 

 fifteen inches long. These are planted about half their depth in the 

 ground, previously removing the buds that would be below the 

 surface. Layers strike freely, and this method is often adopted for 

 rooting large branches quickly. Grafting and budding are but 

 seldom practised, but occasionally they may prove serviceable- 

 methods. 



MYRICA. 



HISTORY AND USES. 



Myrica is a genus of shrubs, or small trees, which form a section of 

 the order Amentaceae. The name is derived from myrio (to flow), in 

 allusion to the habitat of some of the species, which are found on the' 



