Nongsang Jiyao (Vol. 2)

A woodblock print shows a diagram of soil-wall construction for protecting newly transplanted mulberry seedlings from the wind.
After the Chunfen Spring Equinox, dig a trench and transplant the seedlings. Directly above the northern side of the trench, construct a wall of earth. Along the base of the wall, use a spade to dig. Pour three or four liters of water into the trench. Place the mulberry roots against the wall, ensuring the root clusters are evenly spread, and cover them firmly with soil. The wall of earth should be about two or three inches higher than the ground of the trench. In general, the root systems of all plants and trees are averse to shaking after being newly planted, so use the earth wall to block the northern wind and face the sunlight. Currently, when people transplant small mulberry trees, they leave them with slight root hairs and no soil attached. If the path is long, the wind and sun will exhaust the life-force of the plant, and it will be difficult for it to survive after planting. Even if it survives, it will not flourish. People often claim the field-mulberry method is unsuitable, but this is a shallow error. Henceforth, when planting small trees, if you are transporting them from a distance, gather about ten trees together...