REARING SILKWORMS. 69 



all kinds. But even this is not enough. Atten- 

 tion should be given to the soil, and what the 

 soil most lacks should be supplied in the kind of 

 fertilizer used. All the waste from the cocoon- 

 eries makes an excellent fertilizer. 



Aside from and in addition to the regular 

 mulberry orchard, many trees can be put in odd 

 places round the barn-yards, and in the corners 

 of the fences by the roadside. Every mulberry 

 tree planted in southern California should be 

 made to verify the name given to the tree cen- 

 turies ago by the Chinese; viz, the "Golden tree." 

 Yes; every tree represents money, -as well as 

 pleasure. 



PRUNING. 



The pruning of the mulberry tree is a very 

 important item in the production of silk. There 

 is as great a difference in style and manner of 

 pruning the several kinds of trees as there is in 

 their general appearance. However, all kinds 

 should be kept at all times in as symmetrical 

 shape as possible. The Japonica, for instance, 

 will bear to be pruned from three to six times a 

 year, while the rosa, being more slow of growth, 

 cannot be made to give out so many crops of 

 leaves. Pruning and picking leaves so nearly 

 represent the same work, that they may be 

 treated under the same heading. 



There is nothing more detrimental to the best 



