MULBERRIES. 



Of this tree, about 18 varieties are cultivated in this 

 country, a few o-nly of which are proper for the table, the 

 others are either useful in the arts, or for purposes of orna- 

 ment only. 



Table Fruit. Those most valued for their fruit are the 

 one commonly called Black European or Black English, 

 but which came originally from Asia, and the Red American, 

 a common native of our forests, 



Ornamental. Those cultivated particularly for ornament, 

 are the three varieties of the Chinese Paper or Japan Mul- 

 berry, which form trees of large size, dense foliage, and 

 finely formed for shade. The fruit of these is perfectly 

 round, and about as large as a hiccory nut of the usual size. 

 There is one peculiarity about these trees, which is, that 

 generally on the same tree leaves are found of a great variety 

 of shapes and forms ; and taking every point into considera- 

 tion, they are as well calculated to beautify, adorn, and af- 

 ford a fine shade, where trees are wanted more spreading 

 than lofty, as any with which I am acquainted. 



3, While Chinese, or Italian Mulberry. This is the 

 species which has always been cultivated for rearing silk 

 worms. It is originally from China, but, from being so ex- 

 tensively cultivated in Italy, it is more generally called the 

 Italian Mulberry. The tree is very easy of cultivation, and 

 of very rapid growth, and may be reared to any extent with- 

 out difficulty, as it agrees so well with our climate, that they 

 are found growing spontaneously in the hedges on Long- 

 Island, from seeds which have been scattered by the winds 

 or birds. But there is one circumstance which I do not 

 recollect to have seen noticed in any American publication, 

 which I consider of the utmost importance, it is that in 

 the silk rearing countries the kind generally known here as 

 suitable for feeding worms, is not the only one used, but 

 they have a number of varieties, produced by a long course 

 of culture from the same species, which are deemed far 

 more suitable for their purpose. In the south of France 

 nine of these varieties are cultivated, and the produce of the 

 worm is found to be materially different, according to the 

 particular variety on whose leaves it has been fed. Tuese 

 results have consequently reduced that part of this interest* 

 ing occupation to the following distinctions with regard, to 



