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CHAP. II.
The MULBERRY.
IVIoRUS, the MULBERRY \ It may pofsibly be wondered by somewhy we should insert this tree amongst our forest inhabitants ; but weshall soon reconcile our industrious planter when he comes to understandthe incomparable benefit of it, and that for its timber, durablenefs, and
CHAP
* Of this genus there are six species :
1. MORUS (nigra) foliis cordatis scabris. Lin. Sp. PI. 1398. 1Mulberry with rough heart-
shaped leaves. Morus fructu nigro. C. B. P. 459. Mulherry -with a black fruit. The black
MULBERRY.
This is the common Black Mulberry -tree, which is cultivated for the delicacy of its fruit.—It grows naturally in Persia, from whence it was first brought to the southern parts of Europe , .but is now become common in every part of Europe , where the winters are not very severe;for in the northern parts of Sweden these trees will not live in the open air ; and in severalparts of Germany they are planted against walls, and treated in the same way as the Peach ,and other tender fruits, in this country.
2. MORUS (rubra) foliis cordatis subtus vrllosis, amends cylindricis. Lin. Sp. Plant.1399. Mulberry 'with heart-shaped leaves , ‘which are hairy an their under side , and cylindricalcatkins. Morus Virginiensis arbor, loti arboris instar ramosa, foliis amplifsimis. Pluk.Phyt. tab. 246. Virginian Mulberry , branching like the Mettle-tree , having very large leaves. TheT.1RGINIAN MULBERRY.
This tree will grow to the height of thirty or forty feet. It sends forth many large branches ;and the bark of the young shoots is of a blackish colour. The leaves are larger than thecommon Mulberry , and rougher, though in other respects they somewhat resemble them.It produces plenty of catkins, in shape like those of the Birch-tree ; and the female flowersare succeeded by a dark reddish fruit. This is a scarce plant at present, notwithstandingit bears the severity of our climate, extremely well.
3. MORUS (alba) foliis oblique cordatis lasvibus. Lin. Sp. PI. 1398. Mulberry'withoblique, smooth , heart-shaped leaves. Morus fructu albo. C. B. P. 459i Mulberry with a "whitefruit. The white mulberry.
This tree will grow to a large size, and is very proper - for walks and avenues, or for clampsor standards, either in fields or parks. The leaves are of a dear light green, and the fruitis of a paler colour than any of the other sorts, which makes it take the name of the WhiteMulberry. This tree pofsefses the peculiar property of breeding no vermine, either when,growing or cut down; neither does it harbour any caterpillar, the silk-worm exceptedi—This species, is cultivated for. its leaves in France and Italy to feed silk worms; and, when-