MULBERRY. 143 
a place in every shrubbery. Any common soil suits them, 
and they are readily propagated by budding or grafting on 
the common hawthorn, or by the seeds, which, however, do 
not come up till the second year. The common medlar ia 
found growing wild in English hedges, and in this state 
has thorns which disappear under culture. Several varie- 
ties have been produced differing in size and flavor. The 
fruit has a harsh taste, which unfits it for eating until it 
has been mellowed by long keeping. 
The Service Tree (Pyrus domestica) is a native of 
the mountainous parts of Cornwall, and though not much 
cultivated, may be here noticed. The fruit has a peculiar 
acid flavor, and is used only when thoroughly mellowed by 
keeping. There is a pear-shaped, and also an apple-shaped 
variety, both of which may be propagated by layers, and 
still better by grafting on seedling plants of their own 
kind. Two or three trees may have a place in the orchard, 
or perhaps in a sheltered corner of the lawn, The tree is 
seldom productive till it have arrived at a goodly age. 
The fruit is brought to Covent Garden Market in winter ; 
but it is never seen at Edinburgh. Near Paris, the tree 
is a good deal cultivated under the name of cornier ; and 
there are a number of varieties of the Service grown in the 
north of Italy. 
The Muuserry (Morus nigra) is a native of Persia, and 
in England requires a warm sheltered situation. The 
fruit isin request for the dessert during the months of 
August and September, having a rich aromatic flavor, and 
a fine subacid juice. Where it is abundant, wine is made 
from it. In Devonshire, a little of the juice added to full- 
bodied cider, produces a delicious beverage, called Mulber. 
