tj^l. HI silk rearing in Scotlanii. 26 r 



pear to be, in several respects, preferable to the two kinds 

 ■we have, as they seem to be freer growing plants, and pro- 

 duce more luxuriant crops of foliage •, one is called the 

 Chinese mulberry, which has lately been found by my in- 

 genious friend Dr Anderson of Madras, in several places 

 on the Coromandel coast. This gentleman, without any com- 

 munication with me, has, 1 find, for more than a twelve- 

 month past, been actively engaged, from motives of huma- 

 nity to the poor inhabitants of that country, many of whom 

 I find are starving for want, in trying to introduce the 

 rearing of silk worms in that country. This* Chinese mul- 

 berry is represented by all his correspondents as carryiftg 

 larger, and more succulent leaves, than either the blacky 

 or the white mulberry of Europe, and growing much more 

 freely than they do ; it is of course universally cultivated. 

 in preference to them. I have written to hizn for some 

 seeds of that sort, and if they come safe, fiiall. order from 

 thence abundant supplies for propagating in nurseries. 



By the favour of Mr Pinkerton, of Kentiftitown. near- 

 London, a gentleman, well known in the literary world, 

 I have been put upon a plan of receiving more satisfacto- 

 ry accounts of the Tartarian muloerry, ones slightly men- 

 tioned in tlie Bee ; and (hall write for that purpose, by the 

 very first lliip that sails for St Peterfburgh, and doubt net 

 but, in due time, I (hall receive seeds of that also. The 

 plant is represented as growing wild in Siberia, so th::t 

 there can be no doubt of its thriving here. It is represen- 

 ted as a more luxuriant and healthy plant than either of 

 the European sorts. It is by no means impofsible, but it 

 may be the same plant that is known in India by the name 

 of the Chinese mulberry. 



But though both these promise to be benefujiai to this 

 country J yet the time wl-.cn this Hjall happen is far di;- 

 tant, which is chilling to the hopes of man. Anxious ta 

 get over thi? dilliculty. I have bscn very pr^rticulr.r in my 



