ON MULBERRY TREES, SiC. 61 



sisting of about 5,500, were with a very few exceptions trans- 

 planted in the spring of the second year, their roots trimmed and 

 formed, and set out in rows about 2 feet apart, half foot distance 

 from each other in the rows. Owing to a deficiency of leaves 

 last year in this county, I suffered them to be very closely 

 stripped to supply some friends in this and neighboring towns. — 

 Their growth I think was in some degree retarded on this ac- 

 count, but as they became unusually large the first year and 

 have had no leaves taken from them this, they have become as 

 large as a truly skilful arborist would wish, considering their age. 

 Roots and not the top of every tree should receive the principal 

 attention during the first year. Their average height is about 

 5 1-2 feet, many of ihem are 7 or 8. They have been culti- 

 vated entirely with the hoe. I cannot think that at the usual 

 distance at which they are set in nurseries, the plough can be 

 used, or shovel doing injury to the roots, certainly not after they 

 have obtained much length. 



Second, a nursery of trees two years old. T hesc are the produce 

 of three ounces of seed, but are by no means as numerous as those 

 usually obtained from the like quantity, and there is a great dis- 

 proportion in the size of the trees, a circumstance which I can- 

 not yet well account for, though I think it not unlikely as their 

 characters become now distinctly developed, they will be found 

 of different species. For it is a fact not sufficiently known by 

 those who have given forms to cultivate the mulberry, that there 

 are a variety of the kinds, possessing very different capacities in 

 regard to the nourishment afforded the worm and the silk pro- 

 duced by those fed upon them. The Committee I am sure 

 will never receive it as an improper suggestion, if 1 observe that 

 this circumstance may well on some future year receive a par- 

 ticular notice from them. These trees do not I think exceed 

 two thousand. The largest about two feet, the smallest about 

 one foot in height. 



The next item I will mention is, 150 rods of mulberry trees 

 set out for the purpose of hedges or fences. These were set 

 out mostly the last, but some of them this year. They are in 

 different parts put at different distances. Some four and others 



