CULTIVATION. 



47 



tion of the mulberry into the less fertile districts of Lan- 

 guedoc, in France, the inhabitants, it has been stated, 

 were miserably poor, though now they are among the 

 richest in the kingdom. A dry upland, and not a very 

 rich soil, is there found to be advantageous to its growth. 

 Mulberry trees, however, should never be set on the 

 great roads, as the leaves become covered with a coat of 

 (dust which is injurious to insects. 



SECTION XVI. 



CULTIVATION. 



THE mulberry is propagated by seeds, by layers, or 

 by engrafting, 



BY SEEDS. The seeds are obtained by washing the 

 bruised pulp of thoroughly ripe fruit. The trees for this 

 purpose must be shaken every day. The fruit is mashed 

 in a tub with water till thoroughly incorporated, and the 

 mass being largely diluted is poured off, its place being 

 suppliedj)y new quantities till the water comes off clear 

 and the seed is perfectly clean ; it is then dried on cloths 

 in the shade. When perfectly dry , it is preserved in 

 bottles well corked, and kept in a dry cool place. 



Good mulberry seed will sink to the bottom after 

 steeping a short time in water ; and an ounce will usu- 

 ally produce from 5000 to 8000 plants. Previous to 

 sowing, the seeds should be soaked 36 hours in warm 

 milk and water, and after being drained on a sieve they 

 are to be rolled in plaster paris or ashes, and sown im- 

 mediately. 



The seeds are sown in April in the States of the 

 South, and early in May in those of the North in a 

 rich and well prepared and fresh soil, and warm and se- 

 questered situation ; in drills or rows 15 inches asunder, 

 and at au average distance of about half an inch. 



