THE MULBERRY. 123 



Forms of Trees. The Mulberry may be grown as tall 

 standards on stems 6ft. high, or as low standards 

 on stems 3ft. high ; also as bushes or pyramids. 

 The first two are suitable when to be grown as single 

 specimens, and the other for cultivation in small kitchen 

 gardens. The Mulberry may also be grown fan-shaped 

 against walls. 



Planting. This should be done in March. Plant the 

 standards 3oft., low standards 2oft., pyramids ioft-, and 

 wall trees i8ft. apart. 



Mode of Bearing. The Mulberry bears its fruit on the 

 previous year's growth, as well as on spurs formed on 

 the older wood. The flowers are greenish-white and in- 

 conspicuous, unisexual, and borne in separate axillary 

 catkin-like spikes. The female flower after fertilisation 

 develops into an oblong, juicy berry. 



Pruning. Standards require no pruning beyond the 

 removal of dead or exhausted wood and the thinning out 

 of other branches that are overcrowded. Pyramids re- 

 quire lateral growths to be shortened in July to about six 

 leaves to form spurs. The leaders, unless growing 

 strongly, should not be touched; in any case, merely 

 remove the tips. On walls, train the branches a foot 

 apart, and summer prune all side shoots to six leaves to 

 form spurs. No further pruning is needed. 



General Culture. In dry seasons give the roots an 

 occasional watering. Wall or pyramid trees, if fruiting 

 heavily, may be given a weak application of liquid manure. 

 Fork over the soil in autumn and early spring. 



Gathering the Fruit. The fruit ripens in August and 

 September, and is ready to gather when it assumes a 

 blackish-purple colour. The best way to gather the fruit 

 is to spread cloths on the ground under the branches, 



