and neglect. Even in dry situations growth is fairly rapid. These 

 qualities adapt it both to upland and valley situations in the semi- 

 arid regions. It is decidedly tolerant of shade, and can therefore 

 be used to advantage for under-planting or for mixing with a more 

 rapid-growing species to increase the height growth and to induce 

 natural pruning of the latter. 



Height and diameter growth are fairly rapid. On very favorable 

 sites a height of 20 feet and a diameter of 8 inches are not unusual 

 for a tree 10 years old. 



The tree has comparatively few enemies. It is not in any degree 

 susceptible to the attacks of fungi, but the foliage is sometimes 

 attacked by defoliating insects. 



ECONOMIC USES. 



The Eussian mulberry serves a number of useful purposes. If 

 close-planted and severely pruned, the Russian mulberry is useful 

 for the production of posts and fuel. On favorable sites it will pro- 

 duce fence posts in from ten to fifteen years. The wood is rather heavy, 

 elastic, coarse-grained, and moderately strong. It splits easily and, 

 when seasoned, makes a durable fence post, which is probably its 

 most valuable use. The fuel value of the wood is high. 



While the fruit is of an inferior quality, it is much used for 

 domestic purposes in the absence of better kinds. Many horti- 

 culturists have established mulberry windbreaks around their 

 orchards. The natural form of the tree makes it well suited to form 

 a low, dense windbreak, if left unpruned. The windbreak, aside from 

 its protective value, furnishes food greatly relished by birds, and they 

 are thus less likely to eat more valuable fruit in the orchard. 



In addition, the leaves of the Russian mulberry form an excellent 

 food for silkworms (Bombyx mori), and is somewhat used for this 

 purpose in the more northerly portions of the United States, where 

 the broader-leafed varieties of mulberry are apt to be winterkilled. 

 The quality of the leaf for feeding purposes is fully as good as that 

 of the broad-leafed varieties, but its much divided form makes the 

 labor of feeding somewhat greater. The Bureau of Entomology has 

 been for several years past distributing mulberry seedlings in connec- 

 tion with silk-culture investigations. 



PROPAGATION. 



Reproduction of the Russian mulberry takes place both by stump 

 sprouts and by seed. Renewal after cutting is a simple matter; all 

 that is necessary is to remove the surplus sprouts and give the best 

 one a chance to develop. A quick-growing stump sprout w^ill have 



