18 THE MULBERRY AND OTHER SILKWORM FOOD PLANTS. 



back the growth of young trees one-half in the fall, and, if necessary, 

 cut back to strong buds in the early spring. 



PRUNING. 



The pruning of the trees presents no special difficulties so long 

 as it is done early enough in the season to avoid late growth, which, 

 if caught by cold weather before ripening, will die during the winter. 

 The principal pruning should be done in winter and should consist 

 of shortening back strong growths so as""to form a low spreading 

 tree. Keep the central part of the tree as free of growth as possible, 

 to admit light and air. 



After the first cutting back, select three or more of the strong- 

 shoots to form the principal branches. If they are strong and show 

 a disposition to grow upright, they may be kept apart by using three 

 sticks tied in the shape of a triangle; ( place these in the center of 

 the tree and tie the branches to them until they grow in the desired 

 direction. By careful attention to cutting out the undesirable 

 growths the tree can be made to assume any desired shape. 



In gathering leaves always allow at least one-half of the crop to 

 remain on the tree to insure its perfect health. Single branches 

 should never be entirely defoliated. If some of the trees show signs 

 of failing vigor as a result of excessive leaf gathering, it is advisable 

 to allow them to grow for a season without picking and by the early 

 pruning out of unnecessary growth to permit those growths which are 

 desirable to ripen. 



FOOD FOR EARLY-HATCHED WORMS. 



It sometimes happens that the eggs will hatch early in the spring 

 before the mulberry leaves have unfolded. In such cases lettuce 

 leaves (of the hard-leafed varieties) may be temporarily used. The 

 oyster plant (Tragopogon porrifolms) may also be used for a few 

 days. In addition to these substitutes, the mulberry leaf buds are 

 sometimes scraped off, mashed to a fine pulp, and fed to the newly 

 hatched worms. Where this latter course is adopted, the terminal 

 twigs of the trees should be cut off and the buds on the pruned por- 

 tions used. 



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