The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-04-13
Mulberry Cultivation for Silk
Making.

OF the women : Silk Culture Association
circular on Mulberry Cultivation, +"
from which we make the following ex-
tracts:
The White Mulberry (morus alba) has
generally superseded all other kinds in
this country for the feeding of silk worms
There are many varieties of Morus
Alba, all of which may be utilized for
the feeding of silk worms, but the variety
called Multicaulis is both in France and
Italy considered the best.
This variety, however, has been found
rather more tender in this country than
the other species, and scarcely forms
more than a low shrub in the North, and
which is often frozen to the ground in
severe winters
In the South, however, it would proba-
bly, be the most profitable variety to Gull
tivate. There it would produce leaves
more rapidly, consequently more tender
and perhaps of better quality for the
worm; but even there it would require
more care in it's cultivation; also the
Rose-Leaf Mulberry, species of White
Mulberry, has large leaves, gives one
pound cocoons per eighteen of its leaves,
and produces the finest sills.
Where it is possible, it would be we'll
to grow several kinds, so that the SUI
periority of any one over the other may
be determined.
The White Mulberry (morus alba)
grows to the height of twenty to thirty
feet, is more rapid in growth than the
black and contains more of the glutinous
substance resembling caoutchouc, which
gives tenacity to the silk produced by
the worms fed on them, and which is
found in all plants on which they exist.
The Moretti Elata does not generate
by seed as some other varieties do, but
sustains the hardest winters, and is the
best adapted for the North.
Morus Japanica, or Japanese Mulberry
tree-thls kind was introduced into
France by Camille Beauvais, and has the
largest leaves, giving the same quantity
of silk as the Moretti 1t is so easily
picked that French breeders prefer to
plant it to any other kind It stands
well hard winters, as proved by five
years growth in Kansas, if we'll cared for.
The propagation of the Mulberry is
very easy by layers and by cuttings the
latter is the best and most rapid mode of
propagation.
Cuttings of the young shoots grown,
or even two years old wood, if taken off
In the fall (say November), will root
g silly the following spring.
The cuttings should be cut evenly
across the bottom just below leaf bud.
Shoots one foot in length, having three
or four eyes or buds, planted in the soil,
leaving one bud only exposed above
ground, will root easily. provided the
operation be skilfully done.
In twelve months the young plants
will be well rooted and ready for trans
planting into nursery rows 2@x24 feet
apart each way. This distance allows
of their being cultivated each way the
same as corn.
If the conditions are favorable they
should be trees three or four feet high
and large enough for permanent plant
ing the next season, when they should
be planted exc feet each way. This will
allow l ,2l0 trees to an acre.
AS soon as the branches begin to touch
each other, every alternate one should
be removed, which will leave the re-
mainder 12X12 feet apart, which in time
should be further reduced by removing
every alternate tree, leaving the re-
mainder 24x24 feet apart as permanent
trees
This method of culture allows the trees
that are annually removed to be stripped
OF their foliage without permanent in
jury, as they are not to be considered as
permanent trees. Care should be taken,
however, not to strip the foliage of the
ones intended for permanent trees before
they are sufficiently strong to bear such
treatment.
This method is only recommended
when good supply of cuttings are to
be had.
Any good garden or field soil will suit
the Mulberry; the richer, however, the
better. If the soil is not naturally good
it should be enriched with good barn
yard manure, for when large supply OF
leaves are. required rapid growth is
necessary, and these conditions can only
be obtained by generous treatment.
The plantation should be cultivated as
above directed until the trees are LARGE
enough to shade the ground around
them, when the land should be sown
down in permanent grass.
In closing our circular, we would add
The first axiom to be known by silk
grower is borrowed from Count Gasparin,
one Of the most prominent writers on