RED MULBERRY. 
31 
the productive and of female to the barren plant, so that if a difference is 
shown to exist, it is the female tree which affords the best timber. 
The Black Mulberry of Europe, which bears a great resemblance to the 
Red Mulberry, and whose fruit is three or four times as large, would be a 
valuable acquisition to the Middle, and still more to the Western States, 
where it would flourish in perfection. The fruit of the American species, 
too, might easily be augmented in size and quantity by careful cultivation ;• 
a very sensible improvement is witnessed in trees left standing' in culti- 
vated fields. 
As the leaves of both these species are thick, rough and hairy while 
young, they are improper for the nourishment of silk-worms, which feed 
only on the smooth, thin, tender foliage of the White Mulberry. On sev- 
eral deserted plantations 15 or 20 miles from Savannah, are seen large 
White Mulberries, which were set out a century ago, when attempts were 
made'to introduce the raising of silk-worms. Experience quickly detected 
the error of the calculation : this branch of industry is adapted only to a 
populous country, where there are hands not required for the cultivation 
of the earth that may be employed in manufactures so as to afford their 
products at moderate prices. In the United States this period is still ' 
remote ; the extensive and scarcely inhabited regions of Upper Louisiana, 
favored with a fertile soil and a genial climate, will offer resources to the 
redundant population of the Atlantic and Western States. These regions 
will probably produce the finest silk, as their soil and climate are pecu- 
liarly adapted to the White Mulberry. 
The Red Mulberry has been cultivated for many years in France and 
England, where it succeeds perfectly, and is esteemed for its thick and 
shady foliage. The excellent properties-'- of its wood should induce the 
Europeans to propagate it in their forests. 
PLATE CXYI. 
A branch with leaves and fruit of the natural size. Fig. 1 , A young shoot with 
a barren ament. Fig. 2, A barren flower detached from the ament. 
