Handbook of Tkees of the jSToetiieen States and Canada. 197 



The White Mulberry, in that its leaves fur- 

 nish the most valuable food known for the 

 Silk-worm, has the distinction of being the 

 tree about which more has been written than 

 any other tree. Upon its existence, too, de- 

 pend the employment of vastly more people 

 and capital than any other tree, and no other 

 tree has been so extensivelj' cultivated. It 

 grows naturally in northern China and Japan, 

 but has been carried into all countries where 

 climatic conditions are favorable. As early 

 as in the seventeenth century it was brought 

 to America and until the outbreak of the Re- 

 volutionary War its propagation was en- 

 couraged by the British government, as a basis 

 for the establishment of silk production in this 

 country. Many thousands of trees were planted 

 and great preparations made, but the value of 

 labor here has alwaj's made it impossible to 

 compete with the Old World in silk production 

 and the fortunes spent in early days were lost, 

 but the White Mulberry tree remains as a last- 

 ing monument to the departed hopes. 



The Wood of the White Mulberry is of sec- 

 ondary importance, but is hard and durable 

 and used to some extent for furniture, boat- 

 building, etc.i Its fruit is edible and from 

 that of a variety growing in Turkestan it is 

 said a flour is made. 



Leaves mostly ovate, 3-7 io. long, serrate, and 

 on vigorous shoots often with from 1-5 wide 1oI)ps. 

 cordate or truncate at iiase. mostly acute at apex, 

 thin, shining dark green above, duller beneath. 

 Fruit matnring in .Tune or .luly, i/i-lVs in- long, 

 sweet and succulent, usually white or pinkish 

 tinted. Several varieties have originated in culti- 

 vation, one with nearly black fruit. - 



1. A, \\.. \11, lilJO. 



-. For genus see p. 4Mo. 



