WH.TE-FRUITED MULBERRY-TREn. ;-.-, 
berry is not subject lo any disease. In pruning, cutting in, or heading down 
the trees, the great object is to preserve the equilibrium of the heads, bo that the 
sap may be equally distributed through the branches on every side. On this 
depends the production of the crop of leaves of equal quality on every part oJ 
tree, which is alike important both for the first crop, given to the worms, and for 
the second crop, which is required for the nourishment of the tree itself, Du 
Halde, in his "History of China," relates that the Chinese are so particular in 
pruning their mulberries, that the leaves may be gathered in tin- easiest manner, 
and without risk or damage to the trees. This is accomplished by cutting the 
head of the tree in a hollow form, without any intersecting branches in the mid- 
dle ; so that a person going round the tree, may gather all the outside leaves, and 
afterwards, by standing within the summit, and merely turning round to the 
different parts, may pluck the leaves growing in the interior. The trees are not 
allowed to grow to any great height, each forming a sort of dwarf, or round 
hedge, that may be reached in every part without climbing on its branches. In 
China, and also in India, the mulberry plantations are made much in the manner 
as those of the sugar-cane, and other agricultural plants. A field is laid out into 
squares of five or six feet on a side, and in the centre of each square a hollow i> 
formed, into which are planted in a group, five or six mulberry cuttings after 
the soil has been stirred and manured. These plants are never allowed to grow 
higher than three or four feet; being cut down to the ground every year, in the 
same manner as a raspberry plantation. Mulberry-trees, when planted out, 
should be kept clear of grass and herbage, and the ground loosened about their 
roots. They should never be touched with fresh barn-yard manure, as it will do 
them no immediate benefit, but often will prove fatal to them. The only manure 
that can be applied to advantage, is well-rotted vegetable mould, containing a 
due proportion of lime, potash, and ammonical salts, and the leaves and branches 
of the tree itself, or the excrement and litter of the silkworms, which should 
always be preserved, as far as convenient, for this purpose. 
Insects and Diseases. The leaves of the Morus alba are believed to be eaten 
by no other insect but the silkworm (Bombyx mori.) M. Pullein, however, made 
experiments with various kinds of insects, but they all rejected the mulberry leaf 
for food, except "a green worm, about an inch long, and as thick as an oat 
straw." Although he found it upon a mulberry, it was his belief that it was not 
peculiar to that tree alone, but found its way there by accident. The white 
mulberry, however, is attacked by numerous diseases, occasioned partly, no 
doubt, by the unnatural manner in which it is treated, by being stripped of its 
foliage. One of these diseases is brought on by any sudden check given to the 
transpiration of the leaves, which turn yellow, and fall off, shortly alter causing the 
tree to die. Another is the death of the roots, which is accompanied by the for- 
mation on them of parasitic fungi. The leaves are also apt to be attacked with 
honey-dew, mildew, rust, and other diseases, which render them unlit tor the 
food of the silkworm. Those leaves covered with honey-dew may be washed, 
and, when thoroughly dry, may be given to the insects without injury; but the 
other diseased leaves should be thrown away. If leaves covered with honey- 
dew are employed without washing, they cause dysentery and death to the 
worms As it is not our intention to treat of the whole art ol the rearing and 
management of the silkworm, we are compelled to refer the reader to a IVa- 
tise on the Origin and Progressive Improvement ol the S.Ik Manufacture, being 
the twenty-second volume of the London Cabinet < Jyclopffidia; also to the work 
of Count Dandolo, entitled " Dell' Arte di governare . Bacchi da Seta; he.. nek b 
"American Silk-Grower's Guide;" and to most ot the agricultural journals ol 
^^rlperties and Uses. The wood of the Morus alba, when dry, weighs forty- 
