DECIDUOUS TREES. 419 



and bears delicious fruit from the middle of July till autumn. It is 

 not perfectly hardy in a colder climate than that of New York City, 

 though planted with more or less success all over the northern 

 States. It becomes a beautiful tree where not killed back in winter. 



The Black Mulberry. Aforus nigra. — This is supposed to 

 be a native of Asia, but has been so long known in Europe as to 

 be thought by some indigenous there. It is a low rugged-branched 

 tree, with yellowish-brown bark, broad heart shaped leaves, une- 

 qually serrated, and very rough. The fruit is large, dark purple, and 

 excellent. The tree is a slow grower, and forms a broad low head. 

 Pliny makes the following curious allusion to this tree? "Of all the 

 cultivated trees, the mulberry is the last that buds, which it never 

 does till the cold weather is past; and it is therefore called the 

 wisest of trees. But, when it begins to put forth buds, it despatches 

 the business in one night, and that with so much force that their 

 breaking forth may be evidently heard." Loudon says that in 

 England the fruit is generally eaten at the dessert; and it is con- 

 sidered of a cooling aperient nature ; that it forms an agreeable 

 sweetmeat, and that, mixed with fresh cider, it makes a strong and 

 agreeable wine. Where fine fruit is an object, it derives the same 

 benefit from culture and manuring as the apple. It is a tree of 

 great durability, but the slowest grower of the mulberries. In 

 tune, however, it attains a great breadth ; the finest specimens in 

 England being from thirty to forty feet high, with tops varying from 

 forty to seventy feet in breadth. 



The Paper Mulberry. Broussonetia. — A rapid-growing small 

 tree from China and Japan, which was formerly much planted in 

 the middle States for avenues ; but its popularity seems to have 

 waned with its novelt}^ It is certainly an interesting small tree. 

 Few trees develop their beauties more quickly, yet it 

 is not quite hardy, and is addicted to throwing up 

 suckers. Though not a true mulberry, it is always 

 associated with them from its great resemblance to 

 the Morns family. The leaves assume a great va- 

 riety of forms, being heart-shaped, two-lobed, and 



