THE MULBERRY 89 



THE MULBERRY 



By GEORGE BUNYARD 



This fruit is much appreciated, and, except in the northern parts of Britain, 

 it can be grown upon standard trees in the open garden. 



Mulberry trees can be purchased of good size, and in transplanting it is 

 important to lay out the fleshy carrot-like roots their full length, not to cut 

 or shorten them. In dry weather the mulberry tree suffers very much after 

 removal, and a hay-band placed round the stem, and kept damp, is of great 

 assistance for the first year after planting. After being pruned into form for 

 one or two years, the trees naturally become shapely, developing handsome 

 round branched heads. 



The stems are often split or damaged by frost, and large holes appear, but 

 these are soon covered up as the tree grows. In cold districts the mulberry 

 can be grown upon south walls, trained flat, the side shoots pruned so as to 

 form spurs, and also as a pot bush in the orchard house. Under favourable 

 conditions the fruit becomes large, and is delicious. It is usual to plant the 

 trees upon grass-land, and the grass not being too closely mown prevents 

 the ripe fruits bruising as they fall. The mulberry ripens from August to 

 October. The best variety is the black mulberry, the white mulberry is less 

 hardy ; the weeping Russian variety has small black fruits which ripen in July, 

 and are of a pleasant flavour. 



