Handbook of Trees of the Nortiierx States assd Canada. 197 



The White Mulberry, in that its leaves fur- 

 nish the most valuable food known for the 

 Silk-worm, has the distinction of being the 

 tree about wliieli more has been written than 

 any otlicr tree. Ipon its existence, too, de- 

 pend the ciiipluyiiicMt (if va-tly mure pi'oph- 

 and capital than any otlicr tree, and no otlicr 

 tree has been so cxlcn-ivcly cvdtivatcd. It 

 grows naturally in northern China and Japan, 

 but has been carried into all countries where 

 climatic conditions are favorable. As early 

 as in the seventeenth century it was brought 

 to America and until the outbreak of the Re- 

 volutionary War its propagation was en- 

 couraged by the British government, as a basis 

 for the establishment of silk production in this 

 country. Many thousands of trees were planted 

 and great preparations made, but the value of 

 labor here has always made it impossible to 

 compete with the Old World in silk production 

 and the fortunes spent in early days were lost. 

 but the White ^Mulberry tree remains as a last- 

 ing monument to the departed hopes. 



The Wood of the White Mulberry is of sec- 

 ondary importance, but is hard and durable 

 and used to some extent for furniture, boat- 

 building, etc.i Its fruit is edible and from 

 that of a variety growing in Turkestan it is 

 said a Hour is made. 



Jjcnvis mostly ovate. .1-7 in. long, serrate, and 

 on visoroiis slioots often with from l-.T wide lobes, 

 cordate or tiuncati' at base, mostly acute at apex, 

 thin, shininu; dark green above, duller beneath. 

 Fniit maturing in .Tune or .July, %-!% in. long, 

 sweet and succulent, usually 'white or pinkish 

 tinted. Several varieties have originated in culti- 

 vation, cue with nearly black fruit.- 



X. A. w., xii, •^i)^). 



2. For genus see p. 433. 



