BOOKINGS GARDEN MANUAL. 



105 



THE MEDLAR— (Mespilus Germaniea). 



The medlar is only adapted for private gardens, as 

 the fruit is not considered fit for use until it begins to 

 decay. 



The culture is similar to the apple, which see. Soil, 

 loamy, but well drained. 



THE MULBERRY— (Moras Nigra). 



The Black or English mulberry is the sort most 

 esteemed for the quality of its fruit ; but an inferior 

 variety, known as the Cape mulberry, is the most 

 generally cultivated, as it is more hardy and prolific. 

 The mulberry is an ornamental tree, easy of cultiva- 

 tion, producing an abundance of wholesome fruit early 

 in spring. It is said that the fruit does not undergo 

 the acetous fermentation, and is therefore a proper fruit 

 for those affected with gout and rheumatic diseases to 

 indulge in ; it is cooling and rather laxative. An ex- 

 cellent jam maybe prepared from the English mulberry; 

 a palatable domestic wine may also be made from it ; 

 and a syrup is obtained from the unripe berries, useful 

 in cases of ulcerated sore throats. u The root of the 

 tree has an acrid, bitter taste, and has been used, it is 

 said, with great advantage, in cases of worms, particu- 

 larly the tape worm." — M'lhtosh. 



The Morus Alba and Morus Alba Multicaulis, 

 Chinese varieties of the mulberry, have been recom- 

 mended for feeding silkworms, in consequence of their 

 luxuriant growth, and their leaves being very large and 

 tender. Silkworms so fed are said to yield silk 

 superior both in quantity and quality. Some worms 

 reared by the Author, usually fed upon the Cape mul- 

 berry, were offered some of the Chinese leaves with 

 the others, but would not eat them. This incident is 



