32

30 DORR'S IOWA SEED MANUAL.

MULBERRY TREES FOR SILK CULTURE.
SILK CULTURE.
Nature has given America such vast natural resources and such a variety of climate that we should lead the world in the production of all raw material and manufactures. Every year many millions of dollars are sent abroad to purchase raw and manufactured silk, all of which should be retained at home and added to the material wealth of our own land. Experiments show that the Western States with their dry atmosphere are better adapted to the culture of silk than many of the European countries where silk has been cultivated for centuries. The silk worm should never be fed damp leaves. Here beneath our sunny skies there is hardly a day during the season but what dry leaves can be picked from the trees. The culture of silk is better adapted to home industry than any other branch of work which opens as large a field in the commercial market, it being valuable as a commodity and largely in demand. It particularly commends itself to women and children of the rural districts as an occupation of an intelligent and moral bearing, not requiring constant duty, but enabling the parties to pursue their household duties, and it is attracting a wide-spread attention throughout the United States.
The great drawback to silk culture in the past has been the want of mills to manufacture the raw material - a want which no longer exists, for at the present time 200 silk mills are in daily operation, weaving 1,599,666 lbs. of imported raw silk at a cost of $10,000,000. Raw silk commands from $4 to $8 per lb., according to its quality, and cocoons and floss silk $1 to $1.50 per lb. 640 mulberry trees will grow well on two acres of land, which will yield about 30,000 lbs. of leaves. About 16 lbs. of leaves are required to make 1 lb. of fresh cocoons, which would yield about 1,765 lbs. of fresh cocoons; these stifled would yield about 588 lbs. Dried cocoons of good quality are worth $2 per lb., or $1,176, and the Bivolton silk worm produces two crops a year. The expenses of producing a crop are as follows: Labor, $129; other expenses, $31; all not exceeding $160. Deducting this from $1,176 would leave $1,016 on two acres of land in one month's time, and two crops per year can be produced. The above figures are taken from the reports of those who have had actual experience in the business.

RUSSIAN MULBERRY.
This valuable fruit, timber and ornamental tree was brought to this country from Russia, latitude 49 degrees, by the Mennonites, and is, as near as we can learn, a cross between the morus nigra, or black mulberry of Persia, and the morus Tartaraca, a native Russian variety. The tree is a very rapid grower and grows to be very large, often reaching the height of fifty feet, and from three to five feet in diameter, and is perfectly hardy. The timber is hard and durable, and is used in the manufacture of cabinet ware and proves as lasting for fence posts as catalpa or red cedar. It commences to bear when two years old and is a prolific bearer, the fruit being about the size of Kitatinny blackberries; ninety-five per cent. of the berries are a jet black, the balance a reddish white. They have a fine aromatic flavor and sub-acid sweet taste, and are used for dessert as we use blackberries or raspberries. They also make a pleasant, light wine. The leaves are mostly lobed or cut, and are valuable food for silk worms. The bark is grayish white, branches drooping. The Mennonites use it as an ornamental hedge plant, and it makes a beautiful hedge and stands shearing as well as any tree on the list. Our stock is fine, and we offer at the following prices by mail post-paid:
20, 4 to 6 inch trees for $1.00, or 100 for $4.00.
15, 6 to 12 inch trees for $1.00, or 100 for $5.00.
10, 12 to 24 inch trees for $1.00, or 100 for $7.00.
Silk worm eggs, by mail, post-paid: French Yellow, 75 cents per 1,000; per oz., $5.00. White Japanese, $1 per 1,000; per oz. , $6.00.
A complete text book on silk culture for 25 cents. There is no discount on these prices of Russian Mulberry Trees and Silk Worm Eggs.

FLOWER, PLANT AND BULB DEPARTMENT.
Our plants are strong and healthy. They are sent by mail, post paid, at the prices named, provided the order is no less than $1.00, or if less than $1.00 is ordered, 10 cents extra must accompany each order, for extra work and postage. Suppose you send only 10 cents or 15 cents for a plant; it takes nearly that in time and postage to fill your order, and we have nothing left. Sending for part of the dollar in seeds or something else, and then making out with plants from this department, will not do. The order must be for $1.00 in flower plants or bulbs, or the 10 cents extra must be sent. Our system of packing is very complete, and plants can be sent in safety to any part of the United States.
To meet the very popular demand for $1.00 collections we have arranged the following. These collections cannot be divided or changed, but will be mailed on receipt of price. Or if you wish to pay the express charges, we will send any six collections for $5.00, or any thirteen for $10.00. In ordering simply say "Collection 3 or 5, (as the case may be,) Flower Plants." We recommend these $1.00 collections, and feel sure they will please you. Price, $1.00 for each collection. No discounts.
[page is now divided into two columns, left and right]
[Left column]
Col. 1- 14 Choice Hanging Basket Plants, assorted.
Col. 2- 15 Choice Coleus.
Col. 3- 25 Choice transplanted Pansies.
Col. 4- 20 Splendid Verbenas.
Col. 5- 2 Begonias, 2 Fuchsias, 3 Geraniums, and 2 Heliotropes.
Col. 6- 4 Achryanthus, 4 Coleus, and 3 White Centaureas.
Col. 7- 3 Ageratums, 4 Alyssum, and 4 Alternanthera.
Col. 8- 1 Begonia Rex, 3 Carnations, 2 Abutilons and 2 Lantanas.
Col. 9- 3 Boston Smilax, 3 Tradescantias, 3 Lobelias, and 1 Bouvardia.
Col. 10- 2 Lemon Verbenas, 2 Chrysanthemums, 2 Echeverias, 2 Lobelias, and 2 Fuchsias.
[Right column]
Col. 11- 3 Geraniums, 2 Heliotropes, 2 Salvias, and 2 Hibiscus.
Col. 12- 12 Pansies, 5 Verbenas and 2 Geraniums.
Col. 13- 4 Tea Roses, 2 Abutilons and 3 Salvias.
Col. 14- 12 Gladiolus and 6 double Tuberoses.
Col. 15- 2 Caladiums, 1 Amaryllis (Antamasco), 1 Dahlia, and 1 Canna.
Col. 16- 1 Amaryllis (Formosissima), 2 Extra large Double Tuberoses, 2 Pearl Tuberoses, 1 Dahlia, and 2 Maderia Vines.
Col. 17- Our selection of 12 different splendid House plants.
Col. 18- Our selection of 15 splendid Bedding plants.
Col. 19- Our selection of 12 splendid Climbing plants.
Col. 20- Our selection of 15 splendid Foliage plants.