THE WHITE MULBERRY 



PERHAPS the most interesting thing about the White Mulberry is the fact that from 

 time immemorial the leaves of this tree have been fed to silkworms in China, 

 whence it was introduced early in the Seventeenth Century into England. The 

 species is at once distinguished from the Red Mulberry in summer by its smaller, much 

 smoother and more shining leaves with obtuse or rounded tips, as well as by the white 

 fruits. It has been very generally planted as an ornamental tree, and occasionally appears 

 to have sprung up spontaneously, perhaps from the seeds scattered by birds. 



As may be seen from the specimen pictured on the plate, a leafless Mulberry tree 

 of good size bears a striking resemblance to a neglected Apple tree, the manner of growth 

 of the trunk and larger branches being very similar. The species is hardy as far north 

 as Southern New England and Northern Ohio, and has been extensively planted for its 

 fruit as well as for its leaves. 



As is so generally the case with trees which have been long in cultivation, there are 

 several distinct varieties of the White Mulberry. The Black Mulberry is another species 

 which is a native of Persia, and has been very generally cultivated in England and other 

 European countries, but seems to have received very little attention in America except in 

 California and the South ; while during recent years the hardy Russian Mulberry has been 

 very extensively advertised and widely planted in the more northern regions, where the 

 other species cannot withstand the climate. The Russian Mulberry is of especial value in 

 planting to encourage the presence of birds, and to furnish them with a food which will 

 help to protect cultivated cherries and other fruits. It is now considered a variety (Tata- 

 rica) of the White Mulberry. 



One of the most fascinating chapters in the annals of horticulture has been pub- 

 lished by Professor Bailey under the title: "The Strange History of the Mulberries" in 

 the volume on The Evolution of Our Native Fruits. As a result of long study of literature 

 and specimens he classifies the mulberries grown in America as follows : White Mulberry 

 (Morus alba) with two distinct varieties : Tatarica or Russian Mulberry, and nervosa, as 

 well as several named horticultural forms ; Japanese Mulberry (M. Japonica) a recently 

 introduced species; Multicaulis Mulberry (M. Multicaulis) ; a species which in China is 

 the chief source of silkworm food and which by other authorities has generally been 

 considered a variety of the White Mulberry; Black Mulberry (M. nigra); Native Red 

 Mulberry (M. rubra) and a small southwestern species, M. celtidifolia. 



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