CHAPTER. IX. 



RUSSIAN MULBERRY. 



USSIAN MULBERRY (Morus Tartarica). The mulberries 

 commonly grown in the eastern and central states are not 

 hardy in this section, but that introduced from Russia under 

 the above name is very hardy over much of the Northwest. The 

 Menonites of Nebraska were the first to introduce it into this coun- 

 try, and they grew it from imported seed. It makes a small tree, 

 but is much better 

 adapted to being 

 grown in the form 

 of a hedge or wind- 

 break. In this form 

 it will often attain 

 the height of twenty 

 feet and become 

 very close and pret- 

 ty if given an occa- 

 sional pruning. It 

 is of very rapid 

 growth. (Fig. 49 ) 



Hardiness. It 

 is very hardy in 

 Southern Minnesota 

 and Southern Dako- 

 ta, and even north 

 to the latitude of St. 

 Paul it stands fairly 

 well. Occasionally 

 in very severe win- 

 ters it will lose a 

 part of its new 

 growth, but it quick- 

 ly outgrows any in- 

 jury and it is less liable to winter-kill when old than when young-. 

 70 



FIG. 49 Russian Mulberry, showing foliage 

 and fruit, reduced about one half natural 

 size, (a), Fruit natural size 



