1833.] 



FARMERS' REGISTER. 



735 



which is totally denied the truth of the assertion that 

 seeds are unfit, or unsafe, as means for propagating 

 this tree, because that the seedling plants will vary 

 from the parent stock, like seedling apples. We were the 

 fust to make known this European opinion, (in an arti- 

 cle translated for the Farmers' Register,) and deeming 

 it both true and important, we have frequently endea- 

 vored to impress on those who were about to raise 

 mulberry nurseries, not to trust to the seed of the Mo- 

 rns Multicaulis. In this we certainly had no private 

 interest to serve, either director indirect, to which in- 

 fluence Sir. Roberts attributes the objections of some 

 persons to the use of the seed. We have presented be- 

 fore, and shall again, in the following piece, opposing 

 views, as freely as our own — and we should be highly 

 gratified if our brother editor and esteemed fellow-la- 

 borer in this cause, can maintain his position— which 

 would be the means of introducing this valuable 

 plant far more rapidly and widely, than merely by the 

 use of cuttings. But though the evidence of Mr. 

 Smith and Mr. Roberts, completely establishes the fact, 

 that the true Chinese Mulberry has been sometimes 

 obtained from seeds, yet we still believe, that in other 

 cases, (as in the Italian experiments,) the contrary re- 

 sult has been found. It may then be believed, that like 

 peaches, the seeds sometimes produce fruit similar to 

 that of the parent tree, and sometimes quite different. 

 Therefore it will be proper and desirable to try the 

 seeds of the Chinese Mulberry, not only for more ra- 

 pid propagation, but for acclimating the kind in colder 

 regions: but it seems that it would be unsafe to rely on 

 that mode as certain and undoubted. We hope that those 

 who have the facilities will make many more experi- 

 ments on this interesting question, and be soon enabled 

 to remove all existing doubts and difficulties. 



From the Farmer and Gardener. 



ON THE PROPAGATION OF THE JIOKUS MULTI- 

 CAULIS, OR CHINESE 31ULUERRY BY ITS 

 SEEDS. 



In our 38th Number, after stating the fact that 

 the seedsman of our establishment had failed in 

 obtaining seed of this valuable tree from France, 

 we expressed the hope that the nurserymen 

 throughout the United States, would appropriate 

 the largest of their trees to the purpose of raising 

 seed. Since which we have seen several intima- 

 tions that the seed of the morus multicaulis would 

 not produce a tree like its parent. However sin- 

 cerely these fears may be indulged in, and we do 

 not doubt they are sincere, we do not believe that 

 they were well grounded; indeed, we do know 

 from the best authority, that the seed of the mo- 

 rus multicaulis will produce its like; and why 

 should it not? Is it not as distinct a species of the 

 mulberry, as the black, red, or white, or any oth- 

 er? Does not the seed of each of these produce 

 plants identical in all their characteristics with 

 their respective originals? No one will doubt this, 

 because there are a million of witnesses to prove 

 the fact. Then why should we withhold the pos- 

 session of a like capacity from the morus multicau- 

 lis? Is it because the demand is great, price high, 

 and policy might indicate the propriety of keeping 



up the idea that they cannot be propagated from 

 the seed? The tree is a stranger of some 8 or 

 9 years standing in our country, wholly unknown 

 to ninety-nine hundredths of our population, and 

 ol course the chance of keeping up the delusion 

 that the seed will not produce its kind, is a good 

 one. But the fact stands opposed to the assertion; 

 for trees, the same in every particular, have been 

 raised in this city from seed grown also in Balti- 

 more. If the demand lor the trees could be sup- 

 plied by the means of propagation used at present, 

 then no necessity for a resort to seed would exist; 

 but when the increased and increasing call for the 

 plant, from all directions of our country cannot be 

 met, and there, is no likelihood that the supply for 

 ten years, in the old way of cuttings and layers, 

 can be made equal to the consumption, we hold it 

 that duty and patriotism alike point to the course 

 we have suggested. The prosperity of a whole 

 country should not be retarded in its march by any 

 considerations of personal aggrandizement — the 

 growth of a great staple commodity should not be 

 held in check to gratify the cupidity of any set of 

 men. 



There is no necessity for sending to China for 

 seed, if our own people arc guided by a proper 

 spirit of patriotism. We have the tree here — it 

 has borne fruit, and from that fruit plants of the 

 genuine morus multicaulis kind have been vege- 

 tated. What more is asked? Why then should 

 the modes of propagating be confined and limited? 

 Why should not all the mediums of multiplying 

 the plants be resorted to? The seed can be sent 

 by mail, and the tree can thus be made to reach 

 districts of our country that there are no means of 

 sending either cuttings or trees to; and if there 

 were no other reason, that should operate to pro- 

 duce the measure we proposed. 



We should really like to know what is meant 

 by those who speak so feelingly through their 

 fears, when they say that it will not produce its 

 like. J)o they mean that it does not produce fruit 

 precisely the same as the parent tree? or do they 

 mean, that it will not produce a tree bearing that 

 fine, ample, silky leaf, as large as a plate, for which 

 it is so highly valued. If they mean the former, 

 we reply we care not what the fruit may be, it is 

 the leaf that the worm consumes. If they mean 

 the latter, we meet them at once with a flat denial; 

 and we affirm, that it will produce that large and 

 luscious foliage upon which the silk worm so de- 

 lights to banquet, and from which such beautiful, 

 glossy, and elastic silk is made. 



If we had any doubts as to the morus multicau- 

 lis withstanding the severe frosts of our winters, 

 which we have not, for if planted on a hi<rh, dry, 

 sandy or gravelly situation, well protected, it is 

 competent to live as long as any other tree. We 

 say, if we had any doubts upon this head, we 

 would resort to the propagation of ihe plant for 

 seed with the view of accommodating it to our 

 climate, for the experience of the world has long 

 since proved that it is practicable to make the off- 

 spring raised in a country grow and survive the ills 

 of climate, even when the parent of exotic origin, 

 could not exist at all. The operation of this prin- 

 ciple is not confined to the vegetable tribe; it is 

 equally existent with regard to man — it is the uni- 

 versal law of nature by which the springs of life 

 are regulated. 



