METHODS OF REPRODUCTION. 9 



Although good-sized plants can be raised in a short time by its use, it 

 is seldom employed when any other method will produce the same 

 results. 



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, as 

 every rooted cutting will eventually be a reproduction of the tree from 

 which it was taken. This is not the ease with plants raised from seeds, 

 which always vary considerably from the parent. For this reason some 

 mulberry growers in Europe object to the seed method. Some of 

 the seedlings, even from a single parent tree, will vary greatly in the 

 value of the leaves for feeding purposes. Some will be thin in texture 

 and lacking in the necessary chemical constituents; some, very hairy; 

 others thick, smooth, and in every way desirable. However, experi- 

 enced mulberry growers can readily tell the value of a seedling tree 

 for feeding purposes, and it is therefore possible to make a selection 

 in this respect without much loss. 



PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 



SIMMER (TTTIXGS. 



In any group of seedlings there will always be found individuals the 

 leaves of which possess great adaptability for feeding purposes. These 

 should certainly be propagated to perpetuate this desirable character- 

 istic. Propagation should be started after the seedlings have made 

 considerable growth in order to insure a good supply of wood. These 

 plants should be increased by cuttings during the summer months. At 

 this season it is advisable to retain some of the- leaves on the cutting 

 and give treatment which will prevent shriveling during the process 

 of rooting. The cuttings should be made from wood as ripe as possible ; 

 the leaves, besides being well matured, should be healthy and free from 

 noxious insects. During July the lower parts of the current season's 

 shoots will be found in good condition for propagating. 



Trim the cuttings similarly to those shown in PI. IX. At least 

 two leaves shortened to one-half their length should be allowed to 

 remain on the cutting. When placed in the propagating bed, the slips 

 should be inserted in the sand in a direction sloping from the operator. 

 Good results will follow if a cool propagating house is used, with clean 

 sand as the rooting medium. When a propagating house is not avail- 

 able, a wide frame provided with sash will answer the purpose. The 

 frame should face north, and if in the shade of trees, so much the bet- 

 ter. The sash should be kept closed, so that a humid atmosphere may 

 be maintained until the cuttings take root. After they have made 

 a considerable quantity of roots in the sand they should be transferred 



