IIaxi)H()(i 



OK THE 



XoirniKiJN States and Canada. 



199 



Tlie Red Mulberry wlieii growing in the foi- 

 est attains the height of from CO to 80 ft. anJ 

 it sometimes 3 or 4 ft in diameter of trunk. 

 When growing apart from the iiilluence of 

 other trees it develops a eompait. broad, 

 rounded top of many small branehes, and the 

 short trunks of these isolated trees arc some- 

 times thicker than the measurements above 

 noted. It is a handsome tree with large dis- 

 tinct leaves, on account of which it casts a 

 dense shade, and is well worthy of being 

 planted as an ornamental shade tree. It in- 

 habits rich bottom-lands ami low hillsides 

 wliich it enlivens in autumn with its bright 

 pale-yellow autumnal garb. Its sweet juicy 

 fruit, very much resembling a blackberry in 

 appearance, is esteemed as one of our choice 

 n;itive fruits, and some natural varieties, dis- 

 tinguished on account of the abundance or 

 size of fruit, are being propagated by horticul- 

 turists. The fruit is eagerly devored by birds 

 and other denizens of the forest and on the 

 farm by poultry, etc. 



The wood is rather heavy, a cubic foot when 

 absolutely dry weighing 45.41 lbs., moderately 

 soft and very durable and is used in cooper- 

 age and boat building, for fences, etc.' 



Leaves mostly orbicular-ovate, some .'>-.'")- lobed or 

 with sinsle lobe on one side, from rounded to 

 cordate at base, abruptly acuminate at apex, ser- 

 rate, dark green and rouyhish al)ove. pale pubes- 

 cent and prominently reticulated beneath. The 

 primary veins arcuate and united near the mar- 

 gins : stipules lanceolate, pale or reddish green. 

 Floirrrs: staminate spikes drooping, with stout 

 puliescent peduncles ; stamens with flattened fila- 

 ments tapering from liase to anther : pistillate 

 spike smaller and with sliorter peduncles. Fruit 

 purplish black when fully ripe, dblnn'j. averaging 

 about one inch in length, juicy and delicious. 



1. A. W., Ill, 63. 



For genus see p. 4: 



