This tree is not extensively grown and cultivated for its fruit, which is not popular with the classes, probably because we have such a quantity of fruit at its season of ripening that is richer and of better flavor, yet we have found many people who like the flavor of the Mulberry and eat it with great relish. It was the late noted divine, Henry Ward Beecher who remarked, "I would rather have a tree of the Downing Mulberry than a bed of strawberries." The fruit begins to ripen early in July, and continues in bearing for six to eight weeks, a desirable and valuable characteristic which will be appreciated by all who like the fruit. However, the Mulberry has another and very important value: it is a magnificent shade tree, a clean, healthy, vigorous grower, developing into a large handsome tree. It is furnished with a profusion of foliage of deep verdure, making a dense and delightful shade and is one of our choicest ornamental trees and suitable for planting on home grounds and about the poultry yards, as the fowl like the fruit and eat it as soon as it drops from the trees. The trees are easily grown, thrive well in sod ground and need little if any pruning. An important factor in planting the Mulberry, and generally overlooked, is their fruit attract the birds and keep them from destroying our other fruits. We want the birds and should plant fruit such as the Mulberry for their benefit.

* Downing

-- This is the finest variety of Mulberry yet introduced and its rapid growth, profusion of foliage of such deep verdure and dense shade should give it popularity. It is a charming tree, with a shapely and compact habit of form, long-lived, and its wood very durable. The fruit is very abundant. It is sweet, is free from the mawkish, cloying sweetness of other Mulberries, and is really very good. We regard it as especially desirable for planting in grounds of limited extent, such as the village door yard, where but one or two shade trees are grown. For this purpose it is not excelled by any other, tree and no one will regret planting it.

* Russian

-- A very hardy, rapid growing timber tree of great value, especially at the West. Introduced by the Mennonites; foliage abundant, and is said to be very desirable in the culture of silk worms. Fruit of good size and produced in great abundance.

* Hick's Everbearing

-- Remarkably prolific and remains a very long time in bearing; the fruit is of good size, rich and sweet. An excellent sort for furnishing food for poultry, which are excessively fond of Mulberries. By many this is esteemed superior to Downing.

* New American

-- Equal to Downing, but a much hardier tree; fruit large and black.