15 



a branch or a shool into the ground without separating it 

 from the parent tree. The spring is the most suitable 

 season for this operation. The shoots which arise at the 

 foot of a tree, the youngest smooth branches found about 

 the lower part of the mulberry, any other branches that 

 are long and supple enough to be secured in the ground, 

 and lastly, the shoots of a young tree whose trunk is not 

 high and which may be laid easily, may be used. If there 

 arise some vigorous shoots at the foot of a mulberry tree, 

 a hole must be dug six or eight inches deep near each 

 shoot, into which the shoot must be laid without twisting 

 it or separating it from the tree. It is then to be secur- 

 ed in its place with crotchets of wood and covered with 

 good mould, which must be pressed over it, and the end 

 of the shoot which rises above the ground must be cut oft 

 above the second bud. It will be further necessary to 

 place by the side of the layer a stake to mark the place 

 and prevent its being trodden. It must likewise be wa- 

 tered immediately after the operation, and as often after- 

 wards as may be necessary to maintain about it a proper 

 state of moisture. 



The young and smooth twigs among the branches of 

 the mulberry may be passed through a basket or vase 

 perforated at the bottom and filled with earth well manur- 

 ed. The twig must be cut off four or five inches above 

 the vase or basket, and the mould kept in a due state of 

 moisture by frequent waterings. 



When a mulberry tree is well spread and the boughs 

 nearest the ground have not been lopped, some of the 

 branches at the distance of six feet from each other may 

 be bent down and secured in the ground, so that the ends 

 shall not rise more than six or eight inches above the 

 surface. 



