Handbook of Tkees of the ISTortiifux States and Canada. 197 



The White Mulberry, in that its leaves fur- 

 nish the most valuiil)le food known for the 

 Silk-worm, has the distinction of being the 

 tree about which move has been written than 

 any otlier tree. l'|_iiin its existence, too, de- 

 pend the eniploynu'iit of vastly more people 

 and capital than any other tree, and no other 

 tree has been so extensively cultivated. It 

 grows naturally In northern China and Japan, 

 but has been carried into all countries where 

 eliuiatic conditions are favorable. As early 

 as in the seventeenth century it was brought 

 to America and until the outbreak of the Ee- 

 viihitionary War its pro]iag;:tion was en- 

 couraged by the British government, as a basis 

 for the establishment of silk ])roiluctiou in this 

 country. Slany thousands of trees were planted 

 and great preparations made, but the value of 

 labor here has always made it impossible to 

 compete with the Old World in silk production 

 and the fortunes spent in early days were lost, 

 but the Wliite Mulberry tree remains as a last- 

 ing monument to tlie dejiarted hopes. 



The Wood of the Wliite ilullievry is of sec- 

 ondary importance, Iiut is hard and durable 

 and used to some extent for furniture, boat- 

 building, etc.i Its fiuit is edible and from 

 that of a variety growing in Turkestan it is 

 saiil a Hour is made. 



Jjfavfs mostly ovate, ?,-! in. long, serrate, and 

 en vigorous shoots often with from l-."i wide lobes, 

 eerdate or truncate at base, mostl.v acute at ape.x. 

 tliin. shiniDff darii green aliove. duller beneatli. 

 Fruli maturing in .Time or .July, ^/^-l^ in. long, 

 sweet and succulent, usually wbite or pinkish 

 tinted. Several varieties have originated in culti- 

 Tation, one with nearlv black fruit.- 



1. X. \V.. XII, 200. ' 



1-'. For genus see p. 4.'!.>. 



