PART FOURTH. 
SILK CULTURE. 
Mulberry Varieties for Silkworm Feeding. 
In cultivating the Mnlberry tree for silkworm breeding, we must 
have a special regard to the use we intend to make of that tree; that is, 
to have it produce large and wholesome leaves, of easy gathering, and 
holding in their milky juice the amount of sugar and resin necessary 
to the production of strong and fine silk. It is, therefore, of the ut- 
most importance, considering how small are the profits in silk-raising, 
to keep none but such sorts currying with them those indispensable 
requisites to make the silk businpss pny. After a fifteen year's experi- 
■euce in California in silkworm raising, and the testing of all known 
varieties of Mulben"y, we have come to the conclusion that the two 
very best kinds to raise are the Nangasaki or Moius Japonioa, and 
Grafted Kose-leaved or Alba-Bosea, of which we herewith give a full 
desoripiion, as also of the other varieties more or less cultivated as a 
food for silkworms.. 
Xaiigasaki or Morns Japonica.— One of the most vahiable kinds 
for silkworm breeding; introduced into Pracce from .Japan in 184'), by 
E. Nourrigat. of Lunel, and into the United States, in 1869, by Felix 
Gillet, of Nevada City, Cal. The leaves of this variety are very large, 
of a dark green, and thicker than those of the Multicaulis and Lhoo. 
The liuibs are very flexible, which facilitates the picking of the trees by 
beudiug the branches of dwarf trees and h-dges down to the ground, 
permitting children and women to gather leaves, as well as men. The 
Nangasaki does very well planted hedgelike, or as a dwarf, branching 
at two feet from the ground; it is a very rapid grower, and propagates 
splendidly from cuttings (see outs of Nangasaki, one and two vears old 
from cutting, on our " Sericulture Chart;" also, leaf of the same.) 
drafted Rose -leaved, or Alba-Hosea, or Kose of Lombardy,— 
This fine variety of the Morus Alba family makes a most magnificent 
shade and ornamental tree. Leaves large, entire (not lobed), thick, 
shining as if varnished, and of a beautiful green color. The uaAe of 
Kcisea, or Eose-leaved, conies from the shape of the leaf, which looks 
like a large rose-leaf. In picking the leaves, the latter come off. easy, 
without tearing the bark; they are thus more rapidly gathered than 
other kinds. The Grafted Alba-Rosea yields in California a larger 
amount of silk than any other sort of Mulberry. It is cultivated as 
standard or dwarf, and solely propagated by grafting. The fruit of the 
Alba-Rosea is long, cylindric, pure white, very sweet and agreeable 
to eat. 
