110

A DISCOURSE-

C.u

DE NDROLOGI A.

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BOOK II.

CHAP. I.

Of the Mulberry.

Boo K II.

Mulberry.

Uses.

i.Tk ft Or us, the Mulberry : It may possibly be wondered by somewhy we should insert this Tree amongst our Forest Inhabi--***“*■ tants; but we shall soon reconcile our industrious Planter,when he comes to understand the incomparable Benefit of it, and thatfor its Timber , Durablenefs, and D/e for the Joyner and Carpenter,and to make Hoops, Bows, Wheels, and even Ribs for small Vessels, in-stead of Oak, &c. though the Fruit and the Leaves had not the dueValue with us, which they deservedly enjoy in other Places of the

World.

i. But it is not here I would recommend our ordinary black FruitBearers, though that be likewise worth the Propagation ; but that Kindwhich is called the white Mulberry (which I have had sent me out ofLanguedoc) one of them of a broad Leaf, found there and inProvence , whose Seeds being procured from ‘Paris, where they haveit from Avignon, should be thus treated in the Seminary.

3. In Countries where they cultivate them for the Silk~worm, andother Uses, they sow the perfectly mature Berries of a Tree, whoseLeaves have not been gathered ; these they shake down upon an oldSheet spread under the Tree, to protect them from Gravel and Ordure,which will hinder you from discerning the Seed: If they be not ripe,lay them to mature upon Shelves, but by no Means till they corrupt;to prevent which, turn them daily ; then put them in a fine Sieve, andplunging it in Water , bruise them with your Hand ; do this in severalWaters, then change them in other clear Water, and the Seed will sinkto the Bottom, whilst the Pulp swims, and must be taken off carefully 'This done, lay them to dry in the Sun upon a Linnen Cloth, for whichone Hour is sufficient, then van and sift it from the Husks , and reserveit till the Season. This is the Process of curious Persons; but the sow-ing of ripe Mulberries themselves is altogether as good, and from theExcrement of Hogs, and even Dogs (that will frequently eat them)they will rife abundantly. Note, That in sowing of the Berry, ’tis goodto squash and bruise them with fine sifted Mould, and if it be rich*and of the old Bed, so much the better: They would be interred, wellmoistned and covered with Straw, and then rarely watered till theyP e ^P ’ or y°u may squeese the ripe Berries in Ropes of Hair or Baffiand bury them, as is prescribed for Hips and Haws : The Earth ifwhich you sow them, should be fine Mould, and as rich as for Melons ,

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