1840.] SENATE— No. 36. 113 



which we now endeavor to muhiply (by grafting) as fast as 

 possible, as it possesses all the excellent qualities of the Italian, 

 besides having large, heavy, glossy leaves, which are gathered 

 with less than half the labor of the white Italian. Such silk 

 growers as possess this kind, would undoubtedly do well to 

 propagate it as fast as possible along with the Multicaulis." 

 Miss Rapp's authority on this subject is as high as any in the 

 country. The inorus hroiissa and the inorus expansa, or Ro- 

 man mulberry, which have come under my observation, are 

 quite different varieties. 



Among us in general, the Perottet mulberry has been culti- 

 vated in low, moist, and rich soils, in which case the growth 

 is continued until very late in the season, and the wood is not 

 sufficiently matured to withstand the frost. If placed, how- 

 ever, in situations less favorable to a luxuriant growth, and 

 to the thriftiness of the tree, the size of the leaf and amount 

 of foliage will of course be lessened. 



It is somewhat difficult, in respect to the hardiness of this 

 plant to reconcile these conflicting testimonies, and I shall not 

 attempt to do it. Without impugning, in any measure, the 

 credit of any, however different the results to which they 

 come, we may refer these different results to differences in 

 aspect, soil, location, and cultivation ; and encourage the hope 

 that presently the tree may become naturalized and safe 

 among us. 



The weight of evidence, however, upon as fair a review of 

 the case as I can take, and from my own extended personal 

 observation, is altogether against its suitableness at present in 

 a permanent plantation for the climate of Massachusetts. I 

 shall speak presently of other modes of managing with it, by 

 which the signal advantages which it proffers may be realized. 



6. The MoRUs Expansa or Roman Mulberry is another 

 plant which has been introduced among us, producing a large 

 leaf, and of a hardy character. I have not known the leaf 

 used in any instance for feeding worms, unless the case of 

 Miss Rapp before referred to, is one ; and though I have seen a 

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