ADVERTISEMENTS. 



Dr. WALLACE 



ON 



SIHjI^ O "CJ Ij T XJ P2,.E1 



The oxperiinents of Jlrs. "Whitbj', at Lymiugton, in 1836 (see lu-r Manual), and of 

 <_'apt. Mason, at Yateley, near Fainhorougli, in 1S66-70 (see Socirt[/ of Arts Journal, 

 Nov. 26 and Dec. 31, 187!*), "f Dr. ■\Vallaef, 1870-76, and others, show clearly that in 

 all parts of Great Britain where the Mnlherry Tree thrives, and is not cut oil' by early 

 spring frosts, tlie cultivation of its silkworm, the IJoniliyx ^lori, may be advantageously 

 carried out. 



Of all crops, that of silk is the most valuable, producing from £70 to £100 per acre, 

 and at the present price of grain (eggs), viz.", 21s. per ounce, from .£100 to .£50t> may be 

 obtained from a single acre in one season. 



One hundred ounces of grain may under successful cultivation be obtained from moths, 

 the produce of one ounce, in a single season. 



Owing to disease, the silk ]iroducing districts in Southern Europe and Asia are unable 

 to reproduce healthy grain (eggs or seed) year by year. This necessitates their obtaining 

 from fresh countries a change of seed annually : a few years ago they sent to Japan a 

 million pounds sterling per annum to purchase grain ; but now the resources of Japan are 

 exhausted. The market is, therefore, open for English and Colonial reared grain, which, 

 when properly prepared and introduced, will lie heartily welcomed by silk producers in 

 Southern Europe : but in truth, I'.ngland may easily, aided by her cool temperate climate, 

 produce Itcaltliii grain for the n-urld ; for Australia, California, South America, the Cape, 

 and other similar countries, have at last discovered that Idessed as they are with an almost 

 perjietual summer, they can jiroduce silk in successive crops all the year round ; and that 

 for this reason they can comjiete most favourably with Southern Europe in the production 

 -of silk as a raw material ; leaving to England the jirodudio/i of (train for tlic xoltolc world. 



The MuLiiEiiiiY TiiEE may be cultivated in all countries and localities where the vine 

 ■succeeds, and the Mulbehry Sii-kw:)i;m, Bo^nhiix Mori, may be reared in all countries, 

 where the Mulberry Tree flourishes, as easily as in the South of France and Italy. 



The Jlorus Alba, or AVhite Mulberry, and its varieties, are generally preferred in silk- 

 Avorm culture to the iMorus Nigra or Black Mulberry, because— 



1st. The silkworms like it better, and feed on it more ravenously. 



2nd. Its leaves are softer and smoother for them to eat. 



3rd. Its growth is nmre rapid and luxuriant in this country, shoots five to six feet 

 long in ordinary seasons on good soils being easily produced by the best varieties, 



4tli. The silk obtained by feeding the worms on the White Mulberry is of a tiner 

 and richer quality than that obtained by using the Black Mulberry. 



But for "Grain" production, that is where eggs only are rer|uired as a crop, the 

 .Black Mulberry may be used, where obtainable, with advantage. 



The Mulberry Tree succeeds best in situations sheltered from the east and north winds ; 

 slojies lying to the south or south-west are especially suitable ; light loamy deep well- 

 ilrained soils are the best ; light and poor soils, if warm, are also highly suitable ; hejivy 

 soils, if sloped, well drained and exposed to the sun, produce a large crop of excellent 

 leaves ; but in damp low-lying valleys, subject to frei|Uent fogs, the leaves get rusty, 

 and unfit to be used as food for silkworms ; heavy, cold, undrained soils, especially those 

 with a retentive clayey subsoil, are unsuitable. 



The Agricultural prospects of Great Britain, at present so much clouded 

 by adverse seasons, ought to include the cultivation of silk^vorm "grain." 



