FOREST TREES, 115 
dense spikes; stamens, 4; stigmas, 2; calyx becom- 
ing a berry, each bearing one seed. 
Morus rubra—Red Mulberry. 
Leaves, heart-ovate, serrate, rough above, downy 
beneath, pointed, on young shoots often lobed; flow- 
ers often dicecious; fruit, dark purple. 
The Red Mulberry is found throughout the greater 
part of the United States east of the Mississippi, and 
in some of the States west of that river. It some- 
times grows to the height of sixty or seventy feet, 
but is commonly of smaller dimensions. It grows 
rapidly while young, but more slowly when a few 
inches in diameter. It is a handsome ornamental 
tree, and its fruit, which is quite palatable, is pro- 
duced abundantly by most trees, although some are 
sterile. It merits notice, however, principally on 
account of its timber, which is strong, compact and 
singularly durable. It is esteemed by many fully 
equal to the Locust. It has been known to last fifty 
or sixty years when used for posts. 
The fruit, which is increased in size by cultivation, 
ripens in June and July. To obtain the seed, it 
should be washed from the berries when fully ripe, 
and laid by till spring. The seed which floats in the 
water is worthless. It should be thinly covered when 
sown. Under favorable circumstances, the young 
plants will grow to the height of a foot or more the 
first year. The fruit ripens in succession for a con- 
siderable time, and drops when fully ripe, so that no 
considerable quantity can be obtained from a tree at 
