16 SILKWORM FOOD PLANTS. 



waxing is necessary. The union should take place within fifteen days, 

 after which the ligature should be loosened or removed as proves 

 necessary. 



RAISING STOCKS FOR GRAFTING AND BUDDING. 



In grafting and budding from any particular variety which it is 

 desired to perpetuate, the Russian mulberry, Morns alba, variety 

 tatarica, is the one used as stocks. It is of a robust-growing nature 

 and has been found well adapted to the soils and climates of all the 

 agricultural belts of the United States. It is this variety that is so 

 much used in the West and Northwest for hedges, as it is the hardiest 

 of all the mulberries. 



Stocks are best raised from seeds, and a supply for this purpose 

 should be obtained from a reliable source, to avoid unnecessary delay 

 and disappointment. The sowing and the subsequent management of 

 the seedlings are the same with stocks as with seedlings for general 

 planting, except that when planted in nursery rows they should be 

 placed about a foot apart, so as to give an abundance of space for the 

 operator to work. 



SOIL. 



So far as has been ascertained, the mulberry is not particular as to 

 the character of the soil. It seemingly grows equally well in a great 

 variety of well-drained soils. Even in sandy and gravelly situations 

 it holds its own. In shallow soils over hardpan the mulberry thrives 

 after most of our fruit and ornamental trees have given up the 

 struggle. Under the same conditions the Persian mulberry has been 

 found to fruit abundantly. 



Notwithstanding its behavior under what would be supposed adverse 

 conditions, there are few plants which respond more vigorously to 

 applications of manure. In Japan it has recently been shown that by 

 liming alone the percentage of fiber in the leaves decreased very per- 

 ceptibly. Again, by liming and also manuring with sodium nitrate 

 and calcium sulphate a still further reduction in the fiber was appar- 

 ent. The trees operated on were li meters (5 feet) high. Each tree 

 was treated with 500 grams (1.1 lbs.) of lime, 400 grams (.9 lb.) of sodium 

 nitrate, and 200 grams (.11 lb.) of calcium sulphate. How the cater- 

 pillars fared as a result of this change in the composition of the leaves 

 is not stated. 



PLANTING. 



This all-important operation may be performed either in the fall or 

 spring. After the leaves have fallen or are matured, no delay should 

 occur in transplanting to permanent positions. When this period is 

 selected, it gives good opportunities for the formation of new roots. 



