16 THE MULBERRY TREE. 



answer to the first topic of inquiry is all that need be 

 said on the subject, for it is a well established fact that 

 in all climates where the food may be cultivated, the 

 animal, created by nature to live upon it, will be in 

 its full vigor. With respect to the soil best adapted 

 to the production of the food, it may be laid down as 

 a general rule, that all soils adapted to the culture of 

 Indian corn are adapted to the culture of the Mul- 

 berry. In the south of France, Piedmont and Italy, 

 where the culture of silk has arrived to great perfec- 

 tion, Indian corn grows luxuriantly, and is the princi- 

 pal article of bread stuff among all classes of the 

 community. 



It is also a fact that the White Mulberry will grow 

 well on light loamy and sandy land, and that its foli- 

 age is superior in quality to that which is produced 

 on deeper and moister soils. This fact is important 

 to farmers, as it will enable them to derive a profit 

 from lands which have not been considered worth 

 cultivating. We have seen Mulberry trees to the 

 height of thirty and forty feet, growing on steep and 

 sandy declivities, covered with an exuberance of 

 foliage, where ten bushels of corn upon an acre would 

 be considered a large crop. Low and wet lands are 

 uncongenial to the Mulberry. In all other soils and 

 locations they may be successfully cultivated. 



METHODS OF PROPAGATION. 



The Mulberry admits of six different methods of 

 propagation. 1st Seed. 2d Grafting. 3d Budding 

 or Inoculating. 4th Layers. 5th Cuttings. 'Oth 

 Suckers. The seed is contained in the fruit and is pro- 

 cured by bruising and washing the berries. As fast 

 as the fruit ripens it should be gathered, otherwise it 



