SILK GROWER'S MANUAL. 179 



the fruit is mashed in a tub with water till thoroughly 

 incorporated, and the mass, being largely diluted, is 

 poured off, its place being supplied by new quantities-, 

 till the water comes off clear and the seed perfectly 

 clean. It is then dried on cloths in the shade, and when 

 perfectly dry, it is preserved and kept in a dry, cool 

 place. 



Good mulberry seed will sink to the bottom after 

 steeping a short time in water, and one ounce will usu- 

 ally produce from eight to ten thousand plants. Pre- 

 vious to sowing, the seeds should be soaked twenty- 

 four hours in tepid water, then mixed with fine, moist 

 sand, and exposed to a moderately warm temperature, 

 and sown as soon as they commence to germinate. 

 Take the mixture (seed and sand) and sow them im- 

 mediately in well-prepared, fine soil, kept free from 

 weeds. 



They do better in drills, and are easier to take care 

 . of. The rows should be from two to three feet asunder, 

 and the seed planted at an average distance of about 

 half an inch. Cover them but half an inch deep ; press 

 tlfe earth a little, so that it may retain sufficient moisture 

 at its surface. 



The best time for sowing will vary much in California 

 according to the locality ; the farmer will have to ex- 

 ercise his own judgment about it, because we have 

 many places where there is frost, and plenty others 

 where there is none. It must be borne in mind that 

 when young trees begin to spring out through the earth 

 they are very tender, and the least frost would kill them. 



