Nongsang Jiyao (Vol. 2)

The stems growing on the trunk will not be vigorous if the place where they were cut is shaken by wind or rain, or if there are too many buds around each cluster. You may choose to keep four or five stems for each cluster and remove the rest. If you cut them close to the ground, the roots will gradually become stronger, and the number of stems you can keep will gradually increase.

Planting the clusters of wild Lu mulberry roots is also acceptable follow the previous method exactly; the field mulberry will be in full vigor after three years. After five years, the roots will intersect. When they intersect, they will not be vigorous. In the spring, remove the intersecting roots, dig them out, and add manure and soil. Once watered or after the rain, they will grow vigorously again. Afterwards, judge the roots; if they are large, you may layer them to form new seedlings and plant them in separate enclosures according to the previous method. After three years, the new mulberry will be lush. When feeding silkworms, leave only one stem on the old mulberry root. Every other year, it will naturally become a tree, which can be divided and planted as row-mulberry. This process can be passed down without end. However, for silkworms that are urgently in need of food, the stems are less tough. You may decide to plant new mulberry trees and take the leaves after the great sleep.