Mulberry
(Morus nigra). The Mulberry-tree has been an object of cultivation in Asia, and in some parts of Europe, from a very remote and, possibly, unknown period, not so much on account of its fruit as for the use of the leaves, which are celebrated for providing silkworms with food; silk, however, of superior quality is produced when the White Mulberry (M. alba) is the food-plant. The fruits are, however, very juicy when well ripened, and have a sub-acid flavour. They are occasionally used for dessert, and are also sometimes preserved, or made into a sort of syrup or wine. Many trees of large dimensions, and of a very great age, are to be found, as the Mulberry is extremely long-lived when planted in a deep, somewhat moist soil, and in a favoured situation. The first trees grown in England are stated to have been introduced in 1548, and planted in the gardens of Syon House. A great stimulus seems to have been given to Mulberry cultivation at the latter part of the sixteenth, and the beginning of the seventeenth, centuries, when, it is recorded, "Mulberry gardens where common in the neighbourhood of London; but, either from the climate, or the prejudices of the people, the growth of silk never prospered." In the same neighbourhood, at the present time, the tree succeeds and ripens its fruit well as a standard. Mulberries also thrive in all the more favourable parts of the country, but require a warm aspect and wall protection in the North of England, and in Scotland. It is questionable if the fruits are of sufficient merit, generally, to warrant such valuable space being devoted extensively to their cultivation. Where there is an orchard-house, a good-sized bush or standard tree may be grown in a tub or large pot, and excellent crops obtained, which will well repay for the protection afforded by their superior quality. The fruit does not keep long; consequently, the sooner it is used after becoming ripe, the better. Propagation, &c. There are various methods by which the Mulberry may be propagated, namely, by seeds, by cuttings, and by layers; also by budding and grafting. Seeds should be washed from ripe fruits, thoroughly dried, and stored in bags, in a cool place, until spring; they may be sown under glass in March, or in the open ground in May. Except for obtaining stocks, this method is not much practised, as the plants are so long in reaching a size large enough for fruiting. Cuttings, 1ft. long, some two-year-old wood attached, should be taken from with well-ripened parts of the upper branches, either in early spring or in autumn, and be planted deeply, in a shady border, so that only about two eyes are left above ground. Even large branches themselves will root if inserted as deep as possible, and protected during winter. These latter should be kept steady and upright, by each being tied to a stake. Layering young branches is a common mode of propagation, also performed in autumn and spring, by any of the usual methods of layering that are available. Shield-budding is successfully practised on the Continent, in July and August, on stocks obtained either from seeds or cuttings. Grafting is also practicable, but is not much adopted, as the tree bleeds so much when cut. The Mulberry-tree succeeds in almost any good garden ground, but prefers a deep, rather light, and somewhat moist soil. In cold or wet situations, and in those which suffer much from drought, the fruits are liable to drop before getting fully ripened. When the trees are planted on lawns, or in orchards, and the ground beneath covered with turf, the fruits may be collected in a clean state, after being allowed to ripen so as to fall off; the latter are much sought after, and quickly devoured by birds. The Mulberry is amongst the latest of trees to burst into leaf in spring. The foliage is of a remarkable dark or bright green colour, in contrast with other trees in summer; and it is wholly destroyed by the first appearance of frost in autumn.