MULBERRY. 143 



a place in every shrubbery. Any common soil suits them, 

 and they are readily propagated by budding or grafting on 

 the common hawthorn, or by the seeds, which, however, do 

 not come up till the second year. The common medlar is 

 found growing wild in English hedges, and in this state 

 has thorns which disappear under culture. Several varie- 

 ties have been produced differing in size and flavor. The 

 fruit has a harsh taste, which unfits it for eating until it 

 has been mellowed by long keeping. 



The SERVICE TREE (Pyrus domestica) is a native of 

 the mountainous parts of Cornwall, and though not much 

 cultivated, may be here noticed. The fruit has a peculiar 

 acid flavor, and is used only when thoroughly mellowed by 

 keeping. There is a pear-shaped, and also an apple-shaped 

 variety, both of which may be propagated by layers, and 

 still better by grafting on seedling plants of their own 

 kind. Two or three trees may have a place in the orchard, 

 or perhaps in a sheltered corner of the lawn. The tree is 

 seldom productive till it have arrived at a goodly age. 

 The fruit is brought to Covent Garden Market in winter ; 

 but it is never seen at Edinburgh. Near Paris, the tree 

 is a good deal cultivated under the name of cornier ; and 

 there are a number of varieties of the Service grown in the 

 north of Italy. 



The MULBERRY (Morus nigra) is a native of Persia, and 

 in England requires a warm sheltered situation. The 

 fruit is in request for the dessert during the months of 

 August and September, having a rich aromatic flavor, and 

 a fine subacid juice. Where it is abundant, wine is made 

 from it. In Devonshire, a little of the juice added to full- 

 bodied cider, produces a delicious beverage, called Mulber- 



