8 THE MULBERRY AND OTHER SILKWORM FOOD PLANTS. 



used for feeding, but takes lower rank in this respect than Morus alba 

 and its varieties. The red mulberry (J/, rubra), the only species 

 native to the eastern United States, is considered the most undesir- 

 able of all the mulberries as a silkworm food plant." 



PROPAGATION OF THE MULBERRY. 



It is intended to show in these pages how the mulberry may be 

 propagated and grown so as to provide the maximum quantity of 

 leaves for the supply of silkworms. The white mulberry under 

 good cultivation is a low-growing tree, seldom attaining a greater 

 height than 25 or 30 feet. It will reach this height in a compara- 

 tively few years after planting. Although it will live to a good old 

 age. its growth, like that of most other trees, is most rapid when 

 young. As the trees attain their full height they become stocky 

 and make a multitude of small growths, from which flowers and 

 fruit are produced. The fruit, which is usually abundant, is not a 

 favorite in this country, being generally considered too sweet and 

 insipid. In shape it may be said to resemble more or less that of an 

 elongated blackberry. In the vicinity of Washington, D. C. the 

 trees flower about the middle of May and ripen their fruit in June. 



METHODS OF REPRODUCTION. 



The usual methods of propagating in use for fruit trees are em- 

 ployed, with varying degrees of success, in the ease of the mulberry. 

 These methods consist of budding, grafting, and layering, and the use 

 of cuttings and seeds. Grafting and budding are by far the most ex- 

 pensive methods, and it is doubtful whether the results justify their 

 use so far as raising mulberry trees is concerned. Part of the work 

 connected with budding and grafting consists in raising stocks, which 

 are seldom large enough for use until they are two years old. At 

 this age the buds or grafts are inserted, and then troubles previously 

 undreamed of present themselves to the inexperienced cultivator. 

 Were the mulberry tree as easily managed so far as budding or graft- 

 ing is concerned as are the peach and the apple, the use of these meth- 

 ods would be fea>ible : but unfortunately the mulberry is far from 

 being an easy subject in this respect, and a few failures are apt to 

 produce disappointment and disgust. It will frequently happen that 

 old trees must either be removed or desirable vareties worked on them. 

 Budding or grafting may be resorted to in such cases. 



Raising young trees from cuttings of the 1-year-old ripened 

 wood is a method which requires but little skill. As with budding 

 and grafting, this method is instrumental in perpetuating varieties 



« The species known as Morns celtidifolia is native in the southwestern por- 

 tion of this country. 



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