THE MULBERRY TREE. 1U 



winter. The object of covering is not to protect the 

 shoots but the roots, and care must be taken not to 

 cover them too deep, as it may afford a shelter for 

 rats, mice, &c. in which case they would be sure to 

 kill them. 



The seed may be sown in seed beds, or nurseries, 

 as best suits the convenience of the cultivator. When 

 land is no object, it will be best to sow them in the 

 nursery, as it will save the labor of once transplant- 

 ing. 



For spring sowing, the land should be partially 

 prepared the previous autumn. Every cultivator 

 knows the fertilizing effects of frost and snow, and 

 consequently ought to avail himself of them in pre- 

 paring his ground for a nursery. 



In order for this, ground, intended for spring sow- 

 ing, should be dug or ploughed late in the preceding 

 autumn and left rough through the winter. If the 

 land require it, a suitable quantity of manure should 

 be applied. In the spring, as early as the season will 

 admit, the ground should be ploughed again and har- 

 rowed, or raked care being taken that the earth be 

 well pulverized. When the season is sufficiently ad- 

 vanced, ordinarily about the first of May, the ground 

 should be laid off into drills, at sufficient distances 

 from each other to admit of passing between them 

 for the purpose of weeding and hoeing, and the seed 

 sown in the manner of sowing carrots. 



The seed should be covered about half an inch 

 deep and the earth well trod, or rolled down to bring 

 it in contact with the seed. Before sowing, the 

 seed ought to be steeped in water about blood warm, 

 or in milk and water, for twenty-four or thirty-six 

 hours, as it will promote its vegetation. 



