Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-03-30
ISAIAH LUPTON.
ISAAC LUPTON.
ITALIAN MULBERRY
AGAINST
LOfBARDY POPLAR.

The Duke de Liancourt, in his travels
through this country, observing the vast
number of poplar trees with which not
only our chief cities and towns, but many
Of our villages, seats and roads, are orna-
mented, expresses his surprise that a
wood which is of so little use, and which
produces no fruit, should be so much Gull
tivated. We have been frequently struck
with the same surprize; but not know
ing what 10 proposes as substitute, have
deferred making any remarks on the sub
Ject. II is with pleasure, however, that
we publish the following communication
(irom man OF long experience and ac- !
curate observation, and who has done |
much for the improvement Of the coun |
iry1 in which not only Substitute FOR the |
poplar is proposed, * the reasons why it is
preferable given, but the mode of obtain
ing n is made known. If the useful can
be united with the ornamental, il will cers
family meet the wishes of our fellow citi-
zens generally Tren. True -Arne.
Observations on sis. italian Mulberry and
Lomiardy POPLAR.
In travelling in different places. but
most particularly between Philadelphia
and Trenton, could but lament observing
such numbers of the latter in places
where they viii undoubtedly be found ex-
tretne!y injurious, they being moe subject
to suceor from the roots than almost an,
other tree, and from my experience III,
wood 70 be Of little value, and fro;n thei
spiral form are lily calculated for shades
On the contrary the cultivation of III,
Italian Mulberry appears to be almost to
tally neglectedaithough possessed of supe
rior Qualities, which re nder them lhe mos
proper to be planted in waste ground, b,
fences, road sides, or any place where
shades are desirable, except In streets o
cities or towns, for the following reasons
First as shades, their leaves put out a,
soon al necessary for that purpose--ar,
the most glossy, clean s. beautiful green o
any leaves oftrees except evergreens, tina
our climate is favorable to; the Tree form.
beautiful top, makes close shade
drops scarce any leaves, twigs, or bark:
during the summer, and never succors
from the root the leaves continue on the
trees in state til hard rros.s, then faI
suddenly, and are eaten greedily by hors
es,cat,le or sheep. Secondly,th the females
produce fruit in great abundance, which
begin to ripen aud fall off about the time
early chcrrIesrIpen, and continue ripenine
and failing FOR near two months are gree
div eaten by and are wholesome and nu
tri.ive to swine, poultry, &c. and so grave
fol To birds that they will do lit:le injury
10 cherries or other fruit while they car
obtsina suficiencyof mulberrics. Third
ly, the great valre Of wood or timber
which is excellent for ship or boat timbeg
posts or stakes for fencing, and is yer,
good for fuel, and the growth j. so rapid
that having planted a number Of tn,
frees near the margin Of the Delaware
they greatly obsirueled the prospect
which induced me tn sell many OF tht m 10
the boat builders which trees when cut,
to the admiration Of many, measured,
when cut of at the but, from 90 to &c in
ches diameter. and in few places had
eSore sap Than the two last years growth,
and their age but % wears. ] must fur
ther observe, that from the firmness Of
the wood, and it's being more hearty a.
greeahiy TO the age OF the tree, than any
other wood produced within my know
ledge, and that experience have had of
its durability when set in the ground, as
posts or slakes--and as the leaves are the
only food on which silk worms are fed to
advantage in any part Of the world, and as
] have bsen informed by persons from
places where the culture of silk is pursued
IN the eastern counties, that the leaves Of
old trees are preferred to those Of young
for that purpose, and as population and
Industry may increase, 50 as 10 make the
worthy of pursuit, the having trees ready