THE TECHNOLOGIST. [Sept. 1, 1865. 
76 
CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 
large leaves it is not adapted to all climates, although it is a splendid 
stock to graft on any other variety, well-fitted for the furniation of 
hedges, and is excellent food for the very young worms. Having called 
attention to the physiological principles and different varieties of the 
white mulberry in greatest repute, I .-hall endeavour to give directions 
towards making plantations of this valuable tree. 
First. — With respect to the selection of the ground. A spot of ground 
should he selected in a situation sheltered from the south wind, dug to 
the depth of eighteen inches, and afterwards mixed with a little stable 
manure, and the surface made perfectly level. 
Secondly. — With regard to the method of sowing the mulberry. The 
best time in this climate (Victoria) will be found between the middle of 
March and the middle of May. The objection I have to spring sowing 
in the case of the mulberry, is the long drought and prevalent hot winds 
of the Australian summer, which would require a vast amount of atten- 
tion and diligence in watering the seedlings. The v\ inter rains, on the 
contrary, may be easily prevented from injuring the young plants by 
covering them with straw ; but the choice of season is a matter which 
may very safely be left to the intelligence of the farmer. A suitable 
spot being fixed on and prepared for the reception of the seed, the sur- 
face of it should be laid out in beds about three feet wide, sufficient 
space left between each for the passage of a man. The seed should be 
steeped in water for about twenty-eight hours before sowing, to accelerate 
its tendency to germinate, and afterwards well mixed with about one- 
third part of dry sand. This mixture is then to be sown broadcast over 
the beds, the earth carefully raked over it, and gently patted down with 
the back of a spade. If the soil is rather hard, a little cut straw 
sprinkled over it will tend to remedy this defect. It the season is wet, 
with cold nights, it will be found beneficial to prepare a blanket or can- 
vas to be thrown over the ground already sown, supported by pegs, to 
protect the seeds and young plants from the inclemency of tile weather. 
In the absence of rain, they must be watered with a hand watering- 
can ; and in the event of too much rain,, protected with straw or in the 
manner above stated. As a matter of course, no weeds must be allowed 
to remain in the beds. 
Thirdly. — The mode of transplanting. The young plants, after 
attaining the age of from eighteen to twenty-four months, may be trans- 
planted to a proper nursery, or in ground prepared for the formation of 
hedges, according to the following directions. For the nursery it will 
be necessary to cut longitudinal trenches fifteen inches deep by fifteen 
inches wide. The bottom of the trench should be covered with dead 
branches to the depth of two inches or three inches, and afterwards 
filled in with earth nearly to the level of the former surface for the 
reception of the roots of the young plants. These plants have generally 
a fusiform root from which a piece of about two inches must be cut off. 
The plants so prepared should be laid on the surface of the ground in 
