36 MORE POT-POURRI 



plainly by cutting open a slightly unripe fig. I used to 

 think the flower of the Fig was so small that it was in- 

 visible ! My little Mulberry tree, planted only fifteen 

 years ago and now a good size, did wouderfully well this 

 year. All over England Mulberries fruited in great 

 quantities from the hot, dry season. They are trees that 

 require much judicious pruning, and taking out of great 

 branches now and then, or the fruit never ripens 

 because of the size and thickness of the leaves. I have 

 lately read that Leonardo da Vinci's great patron at 

 Milan, Ludovico il Moro, was so named, not from the 

 darkness of his complexion, as Gibbon supposes, but 

 because he took a Mulberry tree (moro) for his device — 

 from its being considered wiser than all other trees, as it 

 buds later and does not fiower until it has escaped the 

 injuries of winter, when it immediately bears fruit. This 

 the Prince considered was emblematic of his disposition. 

 To us it means that Mulberry trees should be much more 

 grown than they are, not only because they are beautiful 

 and useful, but because of this late budding. The fruit 

 is excellent cooked with apples, even if it is not quite 

 ripe. Sweet Spanish Chestnuts are also very late trees 

 in spring. 



Sweet-scented Geraniums cut back in the spring do 

 best for autumn and winter. For planting out the next 

 year, they should be cut back hard, like show Pelargo- 

 niums, at the end of September . 



My trees of Magnolia grandiflora, though still small, 

 are covered this year with their beautiful flowers. These 

 are, I am sure, best always cut off. It only strengthens 

 the trees for forming flower-buds next year. 



September 15th. — For those who care to have Sweet 

 Peas early in the year, it is well to sow them now in the 

 drills or holes, so as to earth them up a little after they 

 come through the soil. 



