THE MULBERRY. 123 



but a bare frame covered over with boards, leaving 

 spaces for windows to ventilate the room. These 

 windows should be numerous ; with shutters to close 

 in damp or cold weather. On the inside should be 

 shelves put up, and here ends the items of the cocoon- 

 ery. 



The Mulberry (Morus Multicaulis) may be plant- 

 ed, say five feet high, this year; and be fed from the 

 next. The idea, that the cultivator must wait five or 

 six years is erroneous; all that is necessary, is to 

 have a sufficient number of them. Having written 

 thus much by way of introduction, I shall proceed to 

 the Mulberry. 



THE MULBERRY. 



It is ^iniversally conceded by all authors on the sub- 

 ject, that the only natural food for the silkworm is the 

 Mulberry, though there are a variety of substances 

 on which the worm will feed, such as lettuce, black- 

 berry leaves, rose leaves, &c. Some recommend the 

 culturist to sow a bed of Mulberry seed, as the first 

 thing to be done towards the cultivation of silk ; 

 but I prefer planting the cuttings, if the Chinese 

 Mulberry is to be cultivated. The cuttings will 

 certainly produce a tree sooner than the seed. The 

 seed of the White Mulberry, however, may be 

 sown. 



There are many varieties of the Mulberry, spring- 

 ing from several species. The best varieties of ths 



