230 

 CHAPTER XVl. 



OF MULBERRIES. 



Diffh-ent Sorts cultivated in Ungland, — Propagating, Planting, 

 and Pruning of them. — Of Restoring old and decayed Trees. 



The Mulberry is a native of Persia; whence it 

 was introduced into the Southern parts of Europe, 

 and is now commonly cultivated in England, Ger- 

 many, and other countries where the Winters are 

 not very severe. It is ranked in the fourth Order 

 of Linnaeus's twenty-first Class, JNIonoccia Tetran- 

 dria, and named Morus, 



We are informed, that Mulberries were first cul- 

 tivated in this country in 1597 ; but I have reason 

 to believe, that they were brought hither prior to 

 that period, as many old trees are to be seen stand- 

 ing at this day about ancient monasteries and 

 abbeys ; from which it is at least probable, that 

 they had been introduced before the dissolution of 

 those houses. 



Four large Mulberry-trees are still standing on 

 the site of an old kitchen-garden, now part of the 

 pleasure-ground at Sion House, which, perhaps, 

 may have stood there ever since that house was a 

 monastery. The late Duke of Northumberland 

 has been heard to say, that these trees were about 

 three hundred years old. 



At the Priory near Stanmore, Middlesex, (the 

 seat of the Marquis of Abercorn,) there are also 



