THE MULBERRY. 363 



foliage expands on the stocks used, or as soon as the bark slips freely. 

 In spring or summer budding the buds appear to be drowned out by 

 the free flow of milky sap. 



VARIETIES. 



Black English. Under this general name a variety is much 

 cultivated in the South. It is a low grower, not exceeding fifteen 

 feet in height, with spreading top and deeply lobed leaves. Fruit 

 one and one-half inches long and nearly an inch in diameter; quality 

 better than any of our American varieties but not hardy north of the 

 fortieth parallel even on the east coast. 



Black Persian. Large, thick, fleshy, quality very rich and good; 

 extensively grown in California, Arizona, Texas, and the South. It 

 belongs to the Morus nigra species of East Europe. In California 

 this variety fruits continually from May until October, and under 

 irrigation it behaves the same in Arizona and Texas. 



New American. 



Downing. Large, one and one-quarter inches long and three- 

 quarters of an inch in diameter; color blue black. Flesh juicy, rich, 

 with sprightly flavor. Hardy east of the lakes and south of the 

 forty-first parallel in the West. 



Hicks Everbearing. Much like Downing in size, color, and quality 

 but not as hardy in tree; originated in Kentucky. A variety of the 

 native red species of the South (Morus rubra). 



